The actor and director is on an official four-day trip to Nigeria to support the creative arts and for his ongoing leadership scholarship for girls.



British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo is in the West African nation, following a seven-year absence, and joined by his wife, Jessica for a two-day, girls-only creative arts summit.



The GEANCO Foundation-organized event, held between January 31 and February 1 at Brightland Academy in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria, brings together approximately 100 girls from around the country for workshops focused on screenwriting, acting, drawing, music, photography, digital art, and dance.



Oyelowo, who was born in the United Kingdom to Nigerian parents, expresses his excitement about being back in the country and his commitment to empowering girls, since 2016, through education via his leadership scholarship program, in partnership with GEANCO.



“It’s been a while since I’ve been back, but the pandemic was a big reason for that,” Oyelowo, who visited Eastern Nigeria for the first time, tells FORBES AFRICA.



“I’m so glad to be back and see the progress we’ve made – from three girls [in 2016] to 44 girls now.”



During their visit, the Oyelowos also visited one of GEANCO’s family health clinics and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-funded community center.



“It’s about access for a community to stand autonomously and grow,” Oyelowo says.



Afam Onyema, CEO of GEANCO, emphasizes the importance of sustainability and scalability.



“We’re not just cutting checks to schools; we’re building a presence in the girls’ lives, providing access to education, healthcare, and creative opportunities,” Onyema says.



Oyelowo touching on the summit experience, says: “Seeing them come out of their shells is the most rewarding part. What you find with some of our girls is that they’re very quiet. They make themselves smaller than they should, especially around men, because they are taking in data that they should make themselves small, that they’re not important. And we’re trying to instill in them that that is the opposite of the truth”.



“And as they begin to believe that, the beautiful surprise is seeing them find their voice, find their joy in experiencing photography, and dance, and AI, and digital art, and acting, and script writing, and all of the things that we are affording them the opportunity to do here.”



He continues that “it’s not about whether you’re going to become an actress or a writer or a photographer or a painter. It’s about giving you life skills that are going to give you choices on the basis of access”.



Oyelowo also elaborates on his continued dedication to the program.



“To have a scholarship named after me, to have the passion I have for girls’ education generally&#8230; I’m dedicated to this.”

ALT_1608

‘I’m dedicated to this’: David Oyelowo On Returning To Nigeria For Creative Arts Summit

When it comes to losing money, Boeing is an overperformer — of historic proportion. On Tuesday, the beleaguered plane maker announced a net loss of $3.9 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024. That makes for a stunning $11.8 billion loss for the year, the second largest in Boeing history.



The lousy news is partly due to the disruption of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2024/10/25/boeing-strike-pension/">seven-week strike</a>&nbsp;by Boeing’s machinists that halted production of the company’s bestselling plane, the 737 Max. It’s also a result of chronic delays and cost overruns on key programs in Boeing’s defense division. And then there are the company’s seemingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2024/02/17/boeing-737-max-workers/">endless struggles</a>&nbsp;to straighten out production problems with the 737 Max and 787.



Boeing’s financial losing streak now stretches six years, starting with the grounding of the 737 Max in 2019 following two deadly crashes. Its total losses since that time: a staggering $35.7 billion.



Fourth-quarter earnings season isn’t done yet, but Boeing’s dismal 2024 results are almost certain to bolster the company’s lead as the biggest loser in the S&amp;P 500 index since 2019, according to data from FactSet. Uber, which was running a close second to Boeing through 2023, is expected to report a profit for 2024, while third-place Carnival posted net income of $1.9 billion for 2024, reducing its total losses over the past six years to $21 billion.



Looking back over the past quarter century, Boeing ranks sixth among the titans of red ink on the S&amp;P 500. The ignominious No. 1: American International Group. Adjusting for inflation to 2024 dollars to compare apples to apples, the insurer lost an eye-popping $162 billion in 2008 and 2009, as its balance sheet imploded under heavy exposure to the collapse of the housing market amid the Great Recession. That’s over four times Boeing’s total inflation-adjusted loss so far of $39.4 billion. In second place is General Motors, which hemorrhaged an eye-watering $130 billion from 2005 through 2008 in 2024 dollars. It filed for bankruptcy the next year, reorganizing with $33 billion in financing from the U.S. and Canadian governments.https://embedly.forbes.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fdatawrapper.dwcdn.net%2FRghvw%2F2%2F&amp;display_name=Datawrapper&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdatawrapper.dwcdn.net%2FRghvw%2F2%2F&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fdatawrapper.dwcdn.net%2FRghvw%2Fplain-s.png%3Fv%3D2&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=dwcdn



Where Boeing does rank No. 1: It’s lost the most money among the select group of 27 S&amp;P 500 members that have losing streaks of at least six consecutive years since 1999. In distant second place is the former parent company of the Texas electricity supplier TXU, which lost an inflation-adjusted $28.8 billion from 2010 through 2015, driving it into bankruptcy.



But Boeing is far down the leaderboard of the longest streaks of red ink in the S&amp;P 500. The industrial parts and repair company DEX lost money for 18 years in a row before turning profitable in 2019. SBA Communications and LiveNation are tied for second with 17-year runs of red ink that are thankfully over.



Despite Boeing’s dismal run, institutional investors have been willing to shore up the company’s finances thanks to the company’s fat order book of 5,595 planes, which should convert into billions in revenue if new CEO Kelly Ortberg can get its production lines humming smoothly again. The company raised $24 billion late last year through a sale of stock and convertible debt.



But don’t bet on Boeing’s losing streak ending in 2025. CFO Brian West told analysts on the company’s third-quarter conference call he expected the company to record negative cash flow for the full year.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/"></a>

Boeing Union Says Talks Halted On Pensions And Pay Demands

Boeing Is One Of The 21st Century’s Most Unprofitable Companies

Fraud tactics, according to a new report, have been accelerated by emerging technologies such as generative AI, deepfakes, and insider-assisted schemes.



Most fraud cases in Africa involved spoofing last year, according to the 2025 Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report by Know Your Customer (KYC) provider, Smile ID.



In the context of identity verification and biometric authentication, spoofing refers to the act of presenting fake biometric data, such as a photo or video of someone’s face, fingerprints, or voice, to trick the system into accepting it as genuine.



The report, which analyzed over 110 million identity verification checks across the continent, reveals a sophisticated web of fraud tactics exploiting vulnerabilities in fintech platforms and digital ecosystems.



West Africa emerged as the hotspot for biometric fraud with the highest incidents of spoofing and face-match inconsistencies.



East Africa led in document fraud cases, with a combined rejection rate of 27%.



Central Africa, up by 3%, saw a slight increase in rejected identity verification attempts, with rates climbing to 22%. Meanwhile, Southern Africa experienced a sharp increase, with rejection rates soaring from 9% to 21%, pointing to a surge in fraud attempts linked to the phasing out of the green ID book, a formerly widely-used identity document.



The widespread adoption of biometric verification has strengthened fraud prevention, but also driven fraudsters to develop more sophisticated attack methods.



The report found that fraudulent activities peaked between 7PM and 3AM GMT, with a surge in attacks at 11PM GMT. This suggests that fraudsters are most active during nighttime hours.



“As fraud becomes more sophisticated, KYC solutions must evolve. Machine learning and predictive analytics enable real-time detection of unusual patterns, while automation and adaptability will define the future of KYC. By combining precision and speed, businesses can prevent fraud effectively while ensuring a smooth, secure experience for legitimate users,” Mark Straub, CEO of Smile ID, shares with FORBES AFRICA.



Straub also reiterates the importance of protecting people and integrations from threats of fraud.



“Implementing SOC2 and ISO 27001 security training, device management, and audits can help prevent fraud,” he advises.

hand typing on computer keyboard

Spoofing The Most Prevalent Form Of Fraud In Africa

It was the biggest night for music, especially for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce, who took home multiple Recording Academy Awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night. However the spotlight was once again on Best African Music Performance, which was presented for the first time last year, as the continent’s biggest stars were nominated.



From contenders Yemi Alade (Tomorrow) to Asake and&nbsp; Wizkid (MMS), from Chris Brown Featuring Davido and Lojay (Sensational), and Burna Boy (Higher), it was 29-year-old Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, who took home the category award, making this her second Grammy. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67th_Annual_Grammy_Awards"></a>



“My heart is beating so fast. I&#8217;m so sorry – I do work out, but it&#8217;s not showing up right now,” Openiyi, said in her acceptance speech.



Openiyi won for her Afrobeats single Love Me JeJe, which is her remake of the 1997 Nigerian classic by Seyi Sodimu. She performed the song for the first time during her Coachella set in April last year which generated a lot of popularity, ahead of the release of her debut album&nbsp;Born in the Wild&nbsp;in May.



The Nigerian singer first rose to fame after gaining worldwide recognition for her hit singles&nbsp;Mr. Rebel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Try Me, Essence’s success. In 2023, she took home her first Grammy award for Best Melodic Rap PerformanceforWAIT FOR U.



“I had no idea my life was about to change when I did that song,” Openiyi said in an exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA in 2022 after her feature on Balogun’s 2020 single&nbsp;Essence.&nbsp;“Every day since then is like a dream and I am super thankful for the opportunity I have for people to hear my work on a global scale.”



Last night, the songtress honored her mother for her win, “This is her first Grammy and I just want to thank you mom because she is really done a lot for me and my brother. Happy Birthday mom.”

67th GRAMMY Awards – Premiere Ceremony

Nigerian Singer Tems Takes Home Her Second Grammy

According to a recent report, the creative economy in Africa is thriving; this while the continent’s creatives contribute to growing the industry and bringing the spotlight back home.



The past five years have proven to be very successful for Africa’s entertainment sector for both music and movies – 22-year-old South African, Tyla Laura Seethal took home a Grammy last year and&nbsp; Nigeria’s Temilade Openiyi (Tems) took hers home a year before that.



In addition, Nigerian-British actor, Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at this year’s Academy Awards for her role as Elphaba in the cinematic version of the Broadway classic, Wicked; and South African short film, The Last Ranger was short-listed in the 97th Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.



If Erivo wins the Oscar in March, the Daytime Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress will then receive the coveted EGOT status.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



The newly-released PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2024-2028, labeled Resilience and Reinvention, states that the key strongest markets (South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria) saw revenue growth in media and entertainment, ahead of the global average of 5% in 2023.



Growth was the strongest in the West African nation with an average of 15%. South Africa saw growth of 11.7% and Kenya saw an increase of 5.8%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for Nigeria continues to boast one of the fastest growing E&amp;M industries in the world with an 8.6% CAGR.



South Africa is the most established market in Africa, with projected CAGR of 4.2% through 2028. Most of the country’s future growth is spread across various segments, excluding print media (newspapers, consumer magazines and books). However, PwC also reports that the segment to watch across media and entertainment is video games and esports.



“South Africa’s resilient E&amp;M market will see significant growth in OTT and internet advertising, driven by stable connectivity and 5G adoption, but must adapt to business model reinvention amidst digital ecosystem shifts and Al disruptions,” Alinah Motaung-Tshabalala, PwC Africa Entertainment and Media Leader, adds in the report.



Kenya’s biggest growth point will come from internet advertising; this is primarily due to the growth in mobile services. Nigeria’s growth through to 2028 will be largely due to internet advertising, video games, music and podcasts, to name a few.



“With a youthful population eager to embrace innovation, Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry can harness the power of genAl to capitalize on this disruptive force, unlocking new opportunities for growth and development,”Udochi Muogilim, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Leader at PwC Nigeria, said.



The report also showed that South Africa recorded the largest annual jump in box office revenue of the three countries during 2023 at 33.6%. According to PwC, international blockbusters will help drive the cinema industry in South Africa, which “has been experiencing a challenging few years and is starting to show steady recovery to pre-pandemic revenues by 2027”.



Over the next five years, E&amp;M in these three countries is expected to rise ahead of the global average of 3.9% CAGR. In South Africa, the increase will go from $16.1 billion to $19.8 billion, while revenue is set to reach $4.8 billion in Kenya; this from $3.8 billion in 2023. Nigeria’s growth will go from $9 billion to $13.6 billion in 2028.

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Entertainment Continues To Boom On The Continent; South Africa The Most Well Established Market

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The Food and Drug Administration approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ “Journavx” on Thursday, greenlighting the non-opioid painkiller for treating moderate to severe pain in what the FDA considered the start of a new class of non-addictive medicines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-non-opioid-treatment-moderate-severe-acute-pain" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">approved</a>&nbsp;Journavx for adults with moderate to severe pain after expediting the drug’s development and review.



The painkiller, which has a lofty list price of $15.50 per pill, blocks pain signals before they reach the brain, unlike opioids that reduce pain by latching receptors to the brain and create the risk of addiction.



Acute pain that can be treated by Journavx has been often treated with analgesics that might contain opioids, according to the FDA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-side-effects-of-journavx">What Are Side Effects Of Journavx?</h2>



Journavx’s commonly reported side effects include nausea, rash, itching, headache, constipation and muscle spasms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">What To Watch For</h2>



Vertex plans to conduct a late-stage study of Journavx that could potentially lead to the drug being approved for chronic pain, which the FDA defines as pain that “persists for more than three months or pain that lasts more than one month beyond the normal healing time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



$1 billion. That is how much Wall Street analysts have estimated the painkiller could produce in annual sales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Journavx’s approval marks a significant development in coming up with alternatives to opioids, which has been sought as opioid use has resulted in a wave of drug addictions and overdoses among the American public. Deaths involving opioids totaled 80,816 in 2021, nearly 11,000 more than 2020, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/202205.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. In 2020, an estimated 2.7 million people above the age of 11 had an&nbsp;<a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/overview#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20an%20estimated%202.7,a%20prescription%20opioid%20use%20disorder.&amp;text=Overdose%20deaths%20involving%20opioids%20have,to%2080%2C411%20deaths%20in%202021." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">opioid use disorder</a>&nbsp;in the past 12 months, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nonopioid-painkiller-fda-vertex-pharmaceuticals-b1dd4276fce3d88ff32e3062e95f408f" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">FDA approves painkiller designed to eliminate the risk of addiction associated with opioids</a>&nbsp;(AP)



<a href="https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/vertex-pain-drug-data-lumbosacral-radiculopathy-lsr-stock/736055/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Vertex ‘ends the year in pain’ as latest non-opioid drug data disappoint</a>&nbsp;(BioPharma Dive)

Overhead view of senior Asian woman feeling sick, taking medicines in hand with a glass of water at home. Elderly and healthcare concept

FDA Approves Non-Opioid Painkiller With No Addiction Risk

Cryptocurrency is undergoing a transformation—from speculative asset to financial structure. With the Trump presidency seemingly amplifying its global relevance, Africa’s crypto pioneers, including Yellow Card, are seizing the moment to redefine financial inclusion on the continent.



The World Economic Forum in Davos is typically where global leaders acknowledge significant shifts and transformation. This year, the conversation turned decisively toward cryptocurrency—not as a speculative gamble, but as a financial force governments and institutions can no longer ignore.



U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that America will become “the world capital of artificial intelligence and crypto” seemed to be a signal. However, some financial analysts, including former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, have cautioned against the potential risks of regulatory gaps in the sector, emphasizing the need for clear oversight to prevent financial instability.



Having said this, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are no longer just a tool for traders – they are now an accepted institutional asset. In some cases, stablecoins have emerged as alternatives to legacy payment systems. And in places like Africa, where inflation, currency instability, and financial exclusion persist, crypto’s true potential is being realized.



From speculative to sought-after



Bitcoin’s origins are rooted in defiance—a response to the 2008 financial crisis that revealed the fragility of traditional banking. And in its early years, crypto was dismissed as little more than digital gambling, often prone to price swings and regulatory scrutiny.



The skepticism wasn’t unfounded. From the ICO (Initial Coin Offering) in 2017 to meme coin mania, crypto often played into the speculative narrative. However, the shift is evident.



An African crypto pioneer



Founded in 2016 and launched across Africa in 2019, Yellow Cardhas been at the forefront of this shift. What started as a vision to simplify cryptocurrency access in underserved markets has evolved into one of the continent’s most impactful fintech platforms.



Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card, recalls the early days of the company and the skepticism they faced.



“When we moved to the continent in 2018, a lot of people thought crypto was a scam,” he said in an interview with FORBES AFRICA. “The traditional financial system wasn’t built for everyone, and crypto presented an alternative. The challenge was making it accessible.”



That challenge is quickly being overcome. Yellow Card has since expanded to multiple African nations, offering users a seamless way to buy, sell, and store digital assets. The company is also capitalizing on the rapid adoption of stablecoins, which are increasingly being used for remittances, cross-border payments, and business transactions.



“Africa is leading the way in real-world crypto use cases,” Maurice explains.



“People are not trading crypto to get rich overnight; they are using it to protect their wealth, make payments, and access financial services they’ve never had before.”



A catalyst for global adoption



Maurice believes the Trump presidency is magnifying crypto’s importance on a global scale.



Banks, once dismissive, are now rolling out Bitcoin investment products. Central banks are reassessing their digital currency strategies and even some African regulators, long wary of crypto’s decentralized nature, are moving toward legal frameworks that embrace innovation.



“In the last five months alone, we’ve seen governments across Africa becoming more receptive,” Maurice notes.



“Kenya is pushing forward with comprehensive legislation, Nigeria is issuing licenses, and Rwanda is setting up a regulatory regime. These are major developments that wouldn’t have happened so quickly without global pressure.”



What’s next for Africa’s crypto future?



The speculative phase of crypto is fading, replaced by an era of utility, where digital assets function as critical components of modern financial systems.



Maurice is optimistic but pragmatic. “The market is maturing, but we still have work to do,” he said. “The goal is not just adoption — it’s creating infrastructure that works for everyday people. We want crypto to be as simple as mobile money, and we’re getting there.”



For years, Africa has been a proving ground for financial innovation. Mobile banking, fintech solutions, and now cryptocurrency have all found fertile ground on the continent. As the world’s financial elite finally recognize crypto’s potential, African entrepreneurs and consumers are already steps ahead, shaping the next chapter of the digital economy.

Crypto in Tbilisi as Devotees Begin to Contemplate a Market Bottom

Is Africa Poised For A Digital Currency Boom

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Australian animated television series “Bluey” was the most streamed title in 2024, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/top-streaming-tv-trends-2024-artey-awards/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Nielsen</a>, garnering over 55 billion minutes of watch time amid a surge in overall TV entertainment streaming among Americans last year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



“Bluey” was the top overall streaming title in 2024 and had 55.6 billion minutes watched on Disney+, with 43% of its viewing total coming from children aged two to 11.



“Grey’s Anatomy” and “Family Guy” were the runner-ups behind “Bluey,” generating 47.85 billion minutes and 42.44 billion minutes viewed, respectively.



Netflix’s fictional period drama “Bridgerton,” which released eight new episodes in May and June, led the pack of most-streamed original series in 2024 with 21.42 billion viewing minutes and was followed by reality romance series “Love Is Blind” (16.45 billion viewing minutes).



“Fallout,” the Prime Video series based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, was the most-viewed new streaming drama series last year (11.95 billion minutes) and ranked fifth among 2024’s streaming originals.



“Moana” was the most-watched streaming movie for the second year in a row, generating 13.03 billion minutes to beat “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (11.72 billion minutes).



“American Nightmare,” a documentary based on the kidnapping story of Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, garnered 3.57 billion viewing minutes last year to become the most-viewed original, unscripted series in 2024.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">Surprising Fact</h2>



While young children make up the core of the viewership of “Bluey,” the show gained a strong following of child-free adults in 2023, with viewers finding comfort in the show’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/02/08/bluey-adult-fandom-tiktok/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">simplicity</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/08/bluey-season-3-review/675020/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">narrative depth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



12 trillion. That is how many minutes Americans spent streaming in 2024, according to Nielsen, which noted the figure equates to about 8.4 billion days or 23 million years. The figure marked a 10% increase from 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Streaming has become increasingly popular in the last five years. Streaming represented about 26% of Americans’ total time spent watching TV in May 2021, Nielsen reported, noting that number jumped to over 43% by Dec. 2024. The surge in streaming has managed to coincide with increasingly expensive streaming services that include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video and others. Netflix is the most recent streaming service to announce a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/01/21/netflix-is-raising-its-prices---heres-what-to-know/">price hike</a>, revealing this month it will increase its ad-supported tier from $6.99 to $7.99, its standard tier from $15.49 to $17.99 and its premium tier from $22.99 to $24.99. Crackdowns on password sharing across multiple streaming platforms have contributed to subscriber growth for multiple platforms including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/08/20/netflix-stock-hits-record-high-first-since-2021-after-ads-password-crackdown/">Netflix</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/top-streaming-tv-trends-2024-artey-awards/#legacyaward" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Nielsen ARTEY Awards: 2024 Streaming Unwrapped</a>&nbsp;(Nielsen)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/07/05/netflix-streaming-twice-as-many-new-subscribers-first-half-2024-peacock-paramount-hbo-max/">This Streaming Service Has Scored Twice As Many New Users As Any Other In 2024</a> (Forbes)<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/"></a>

In this photo illustration, the video streaming apps Netflix

Here’s What Shows And Movies Dominated Streaming In 2024

In the country’s food delivery market where hunger for innovation meets hunger for food, three-year-old FoodCourt is serving up a recipe for success.



It was a sweltering afternoon in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, and Henry Nneji stood outside a restaurant kitchen, sweat dripping down his brow. His startup had just lost its second location in a matter of months after moving from a shared kitchen experiment. Nneji’s dream of transforming Nigeria’s food delivery industry teetered on the edge. With the weight of his staff’s livelihoods on his shoulders, he had two choices — give up or find a way to thrive.



“We pretty much didn’t have any money to move into a new location, but somehow we were able to secure a third space,” 29-year-old Nneji tells FORBES AFRICA.



Nneji now sits at the helm of FoodCourt, formerly known as CoKitchen, a multi-brand virtual restaurant company joining just 4% of startups, globally, who make over $1 million annually.



His entrepreneurial spirit, however, was nurtured long before the early days of FoodCourt.



Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, he had a front-row seat to the hustle and innovation required to navigate Nigeria’s volatile business landscape.



His mother Ngozi, a known quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise owner, once had to watch her thriving business close its doors due to the construction of a road that cut off customer access.



“There was no online presence at the time for businesses like hers,” Nneji recalls.



After receiving a degree at the University of Birmingham, Nneji returned to Nigeria brimming with ideas.



His first foray into tech was as a co-founder of Fashion Map, an online platform connecting fashion designers and consumers, in 2019. Though it grew to over 3,000 users, the market wasn’t ready for the solution, and he had to shut it down.



By 2020, the world was grappling with a pandemic, and he stumbled upon an article about Travis Kalanick, the former CEO of Uber, and a $400 million investment in CloudKitchens. The idea sparked a lightbulb moment.



Drawing from his mother’s experience, he understood the pain of the collapse of a brick-and-mortar operation. With food delivery apps gaining traction in Nigeria, Nneji saw an opportunity. But unlike traditional aggregators that only listed restaurants, he envisioned something different — a full-stack operation where FoodCourt controlled everything: the technology, the kitchen, and the delivery.



“I found it just really interesting because I felt like it was sort of a step in the right direction,” Nneji says. “We saw that there was a rise of food delivery aggregators, but it was still massively inefficient.”



With an initial investment of N10 million (approximately $19,000 at the time) from his entrepreneur father, Frank who founded Nigerian transportation company, ABC Transport, Nneji co-founded FoodCourt with Paul Iruene.



They launched in August 2021, operating out of an existing restaurant kitchen. The early days were chaotic — challenging locations, an unexpected relocation, and strained resources. Yet, each setback taught Nneji and his team invaluable lessons about the nuances of the Nigerian market.



Their breakthrough came when they secured their own second space and refined their model to a multi-brand kitchen operation with the understanding of local demand and the rolling out of tailored food concepts, from traditional staples to experimental cuisines.



Statista estimates the user penetration rate in the meal delivery market in Nigeria to be 16.2% this year, while the number of users is expected to reach 52 million by 2029.



The platform’s controlled production and delivery process gave them an edge over traditional aggregators and allowed them to reportedly grow revenue by 80% over the past 12 months, making over $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR).



The company which now operates with 16 food concepts, serving over 15,000 monthly active users and two locations in Lagos, is preparing to expand to Nigeria’s capital Abuja, other African markets and the United States.



“Our model gives us limitless flexibility. We can hyper-localize menus for any market,” Nneji says.



Despite the accolades and exponential growth, FoodCourt remains grounded, driven by a mantra centered on good food and exceptional service.



“We’ve had a lot of bad days, but I don’t remember a day that I felt like giving up or felt it was over…VC [venture capital] winter prompted us to be very, very prudent with just how we saw the landscape of things,’’ says Nneji.

Screenshot 2025-01-30 at 21.35.17

Recipe For Disruption: How A Virtual Restaurant Startup Is Taking A Bite Out Of Nigeria’s Food Delivery Market

As artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, industry leaders warn that without urgent investment in AI research, cloud infrastructure, and tailored solutions, Africa’s potential will remain untapped.



A PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, representing a 14% increase in GDP.



However, Africa, alongside Oceania and other Asian markets, is projected to capture only 5.6% of that growth—approximately $1.2 trillion—unless strategic steps are taken to bolster the continent’s AI capabilities.



Charles Emembolu, founder of TechQuest STEM Academy, warns that Africa’s current trajectory should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and innovators.



“Africa contributes less than 1% of global AI research output,” he says to FORBES AFRICA. “To change this, we need more AI-focused research centers and increased funding for African-led AI innovations.”



He adds that investment in AI-ready cloud computing, local data centers, and comprehensive AI education is critical.



Emembolu also advocates for a pan-African AI strategy to ensure ethical AI deployment and greater support for local startups.



“We must own and manage our data and develop models relevant to our unique languages and socioeconomic contexts,” Emembolu says.



“If we act decisively, Africa can redefine global AI innovation from an African perspective—one that is equitable, responsible, and transformative.”



Zain Verjee, CEO of global communications advisory theZVG, points to a development: DeepSeek, the new Chinese AI startup that seemingly challenges the notion that only certain nations or tech giants can play in the AI space.



“What DeepSeek has shown us is that creating advanced AI with small, lean teams is possible,” Verjee says to FORBES AFRICA.



“This allows Africa to start building its own language models, ensuring our stories, data sets, and histories are part of the global AI ecosystem.”



She stresses that homegrown solutions should replace imported systems. “If we develop our own open-source repositories and frameworks tailored to African languages and industries, it will be game-changing,” she adds.



Verjee praises initiatives, like data science competition platform, Zindi Africa, for advocating solutions crafted by Africans for Africa’s unique challenges.



She calls on African leaders to drive investment ecosystems and talent development, reiterating the importance of a collaborative approach across borders.



“Africa’s AI story must be written by Africans for Africans,” Verjee says. “This goes beyond technology—it’s about sovereignty, dignity, and creating solutions for our people.”



She urges leaders to avoid operating in silos and instead build pan-African sandboxes where universities, startups, and policymakers collaborate to develop ethical AI frameworks.



The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities.



&nbsp;“If our leaders step up and our innovators lead, we can shift the paradigm and create a future where Africa is a leader in ethical, inclusive AI innovation,” concludes Verjee.

The Power of AI. Transforming Industries and Customer Service. A Look into the Future. Yellow AI icon processing texts and commands on smart phone. 3D render

Inclusive Innovation In AI Calls For A Collaborative Strategy

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received guidance to immediately stop working with the World Health Organization following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the United Nations agency—though the immediate stop to work surprised CDC staff, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-who-trump-548cf18b1c409c7d22e17311ccdfe1f6" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;and The Washington Post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/27/trump-presidency-news/#link-PNY2UHHRDFBXFBRQW5IXX3ZW44" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reported</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



Deputy Director for Global Health for the CDC John Nkengasong sent a memo to senior agency leaders Sunday advising them that agency staff who work with WHO should stop their collaborations and “await further guidance,” the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-who-trump-548cf18b1c409c7d22e17311ccdfe1f6" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported Monday.



The Washington Post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/27/trump-presidency-news/#link-PNY2UHHRDFBXFBRQW5IXX3ZW44" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;the memo said the direction applied to “all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means” whether virtually or in person and prevents CDC staff from going to WHO offices.



On his first day back in office, Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-the-worldhealth-organization/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;that began the process of withdrawing from WHO, citing “the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic” and that it demands “unfairly onerous payments” from the U.S.



It is legal from Trump to withdraw the U.S. from WHO, but the U.S. must give “a one-year notice” and meet its financial obligations to the agency for that fiscal year, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://maint.loc.gov/law/help/statutes-at-large/80th-congress/session-2/c80s2ch469.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">joint resolution</a>&nbsp;from 1948, and there is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/01/21/trump-withdrawal-world-health-organization/#A5TWCZYCWRDLVD7QKHYMTW76UU-4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">debate</a>&nbsp;around whether it requires congressional approval, as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



Trump’s order directed the secretary of state and director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause the future transfer of funds and support to WHO and “recall and reassign” personnel working with WHO, but Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a University of Southern California public health expert who works with WHO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-who-trump-548cf18b1c409c7d22e17311ccdfe1f6" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told the AP</a>&nbsp;“people thought there would be a slow withdrawal,” adding: “This has really caught everyone with their pants down.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



This is not the first time Trump tried to withdraw from WHO. In July 2020, he took steps to leave in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/29/politics/donald-trump-world-health-organization/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">saying</a>&nbsp;at the time the organization “failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms” and that the U.S. would redirect “funds to other worldwide and deserving, urgent global public health needs,” CNN reported. The decision was met with criticism from Democrats and then-presidential candidate Joe Biden said he would reverse the decision if elected, which his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-who-support-006ed181e016afa55d4cea30af236227" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">administration did</a>. The WHO is a United Nations agency that works on global efforts to expand health coverage and improve global health. Any country in the United Nations is able to join WHO by accepting its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Constitution</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">Contra</h2>



At a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, Trump hinted that he would consider rejoining WHO, saying “maybe we would consider doing it again … maybe we would have to clean it up a bit,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-floats-reversing-decision-to-leave-who/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Politico</a>&nbsp;reported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



The executive order starting the process to withdraw from WHO was one of many Trump signed on his first day back in office. He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/01/21/trumps-executive-orders-here-are-all-his-big-day-one-actions-on-immigration-energy-tiktok-and-more/">also signed</a>&nbsp;executive orders ordering mass deportations of anyone in the U.S. illegally, creating the Department of Government Efficiency, eliminating governmental programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-who-trump-548cf18b1c409c7d22e17311ccdfe1f6" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately, upending expectations of an extended withdrawal</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/01/21/trumps-executive-orders-here-are-all-his-big-day-one-actions-on-immigration-energy-tiktok-and-more/">Trump’s Executive Orders: Here Are All His Big Day-One Actions On Immigration, Energy, TikTok And More</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-floats-reversing-decision-to-leave-who/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Trump floats reversing decision to leave WHO</a>&nbsp;(Politico)

U.S. President Trump Seeks U.S. Withdrawal From World Health Organization

CDC Ordered To Stop Working With WHO Immediately

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The “doomsday clock,” a scientist-curated measure of how close human civilization may be to total collapse, ticked one second closer to “midnight” with just 89 seconds to go, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced Tuesday, with artificial intelligence joining the ranks of the most high-priority concerns to humanity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a nonprofit that warns of consequences caused by scientific and technological advances, listed AI among other concerns including climate change, nuclear weapons, war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the spread of misinformation among the chief problems threatening humanity.



This year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2025-statement/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">organization warned</a>&nbsp;of several threats spurred by artificial intelligence, including the use of AI in military operations and the use of AI to “spread false or inauthentic information across the internet,” which it said can also make misinformation hard to detect.



Two years ago, the last time the clock was pushed forward, AI was not listed among chief concerns in a Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/2023/01/press-release-doomsday-clock-set-at-90-seconds-to-midnight/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">press release</a>, though last year, the organization&nbsp;<a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/2024-doomsday-clock-announcement-90-seconds-to-midnight-apocalypse" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">identified AI</a>&nbsp;as a growing, but not yet existential, threat.



The organization also condemned global political leaders for subverting elections, aiding the “spread of lies and conspiracy theories,” discounting science and suppressing free speech and human rights.



The one-second tick closer to midnight should be considered an “indication of extreme danger,” the nonprofit said, calling on political leaders to take action to quell nuclear risk, climate change and the spread of biological diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



The clock, which was first set at 7 minutes to midnight in 1947, is not intended to be a prediction of when the world will end, but is instead a metaphor to spark conversation and action about threats to humanity, the&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">organization has said</a>. Conceived just two years after the world’s first nuclear detonations by scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project, a research project led during World War II to create nuclear weapons,&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">the doomsday clock</a>&nbsp;was initially used to measure the threat nuclear weapons posed to society. Each year, the organization determines whether or not the clock’s hands will move, and it can move forward, backward or stay the same. The clock hasn’t&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/timeline/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">moved backward</a>&nbsp;since 2010, when scientists moved it from five minutes to midnight to six minutes to midnight following a United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen. Since then, the clock has steadily moved closer to midnight, with its largest jump occurring in 2015, when scientists moved the clock from five minutes to midnight to three minutes to midnight, citing “unchecked climate change, global nuclear weapons modernizations, and outsized nuclear weapons arsenals.” During President Donald Trump’s first term, the organization moved the clock closer to midnight three times, partially&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Final-2017-Clock-Statement.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">blaming him</a>&nbsp;because he had “made disturbing comments about the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons and expressed disbelief in the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“The United States, China, and Russia have the collective power to destroy civilization. These three countries have the prime responsibility to pull the world back from the brink, and they can do so if their leaders seriously commence good-faith discussions about the global threats outlined here,” the organization said in its&nbsp;<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2025-statement/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">press release</a>, adding the world “depends on immediate action.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/28/science/doomsday-clock-2025-time-wellness/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Doomsday Clock reveals how close humanity may be to total annihilation</a>&nbsp;(CNN)



<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2025-statement/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Closer than ever: It is now 89 seconds to midnight</a>&nbsp;(Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists)

The Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists Holds Its Annual “Doomsday Clock” Adjustment News Conference

The ‘Doomsday Clock’ Ticks Closer To Global Catastrophe—And AI Is Now A Primary Concern

Figures from UN Tourism’s latest World Tourism Barometer indicate a “virtual recovery of pre-pandemic levels” as the African continent welcomed 7% more arrivals in 2024 than in 2019.



United Nations (UN) Tourism estimates that 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, representing an 11% increase compared to 2023. The African continent, in particular, welcomed 12% more arrivals during the same period.



“In 2024, global tourism completed its recovery from the pandemic and, in many places, tourist arrival and specially earnings are already higher than in 2019,” UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili said in a statement.



According to the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector–which includes its direct, indirect, and induced impacts–accounted for 10.4% of global GDP or $10.3 trillion.&nbsp;



In 2023, it reportedly contributed 9.1% to global GDP; an increase of 23.2% from 2022.



In April, WTTC President and CEO, Julia Simpson, said, “The future is very bright. We can predict a record-breaking 2024. The sector’s global economic contribution is set to reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion, which will generate one in every ten dollars worldwide. The sector is also expected to support nearly 348 million jobs, an increase of 13.6 million jobs on its 2019 record”.



North Africa saw 22% more international arrivals than pre-pandemic numbers with Morocco recording a 35% increase since 2019. The nation surpassed Egypt, with a record 17.4 million visitors in 2024, reportedly meeting the target in its roadmap ahead of schedule.&nbsp;



The country’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor was quoted as saying that the performance was “as the result of targeted investment by our government in this sector, which is vital to our country’s economy, and of the constant mobilization of professionals in the sector”.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Morocco is set to host the African Cup of Nations in 2025, further bolstering its growth prospects.



Egypt, according to UN Tourism, recorded a 23% increase in arrivals compared to 2019, followed by Kenya and Tunisia, both on 9%. The Seychelles saw an 8% decrease while South Africa saw a 13% decrease.



Statista indicates that the travel and tourism market in Africa is projected to reach revenue of $25.16 billion by 2025.



However, UN Tourism cautioned that higher transport and accommodation costs, economic factors and geopolitical risks remain the three main challenges that international tourism will face this year.



“Growth is expected to continue throughout 2025, driven by strong demand contributing to the socio-economic development of both mature and emerging destinations,” said Pololikashvili.



“This recalls our immense responsibility as a sector to accelerate transformation, placing people and planet at the center of the development of tourism.”

Morocco, Casablanca, Muhammad V Airport

Tourism Sector Recovers As North Africa Records Strong Performance

People need to be more vigilant than ever before while interacting and transacting online.



As the uptake of the digital sphere continues, so too do the risks, and no one is safe. Namibia’s former First Lady, Monica Geingos says that she has noticed an increase in scammers pretending to be her.



The latest, according to Geingos, includes AI manipulated videos of her asking members of the public to invest in fraudulent schemes.



“Something that has surprised [me] of late is how ubiquitous it’s become across social media platforms,” the former first lady said in a video released on social media last week.



“Recently, somebody received a video call purportedly of me convincing them to invest in some kind of weird Forex schemes. I am not a Forex person. I am not on any social media platform asking for any money or giving any loans out, or whatever you’re being told. So take it from me, it’s not true.”



Deepfakes, an emergent type of threat falling under the greater and more pervasive umbrella of synthetic media, utilize a form of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to create believable, realistic videos, pictures, audio, and text of events which never happened, and it has become alarmingly high.



According to a study done by the United States’ Homeland Security, tilted ‘Increasing Threat of DeepFake Identities’ &nbsp;deepfakes and the misuse of synthetic content pose a clear, present, and evolving threat to the public across national security, law enforcement, financial, and societal domains.



“To adequately characterize the current threat landscape posed by deepfakes, we must consider the context of the varied threats, malign actors, victims, and technology,” the study reads.



“Experts across industry, academia, and government have a diverse perspective on the threat of synthetic media. Some assert that it is overblown, overstated, and technically infeasible to create a convincing deepfake, or it will simply be ineffective against a skeptical public.”



However, it asserts that the threat is “very real and harmful” as noted by the victims of this type of material.



A 2024 Regula report, ‘Deepfake Trends 2024’, states that 57% of Crypto companies have reported audio deepfake incidents, compared to just 45% who were facing fake or modified document fraud.



Regula, an identity verification solutions provider, also says that 53% of Crypto firms have encountered video deepfake fraud, cementing deepfakes as a top concern.



Further to this, in 2023, research company, Sumsub, stated that South Africa had an “astounding rise” of 1200% in deepfake frauds. With AI-driven fraud remaining the most prominent challenge across various industries, crypto is the main target sector (representing 88% of all deepfake cases detected in 2023), followed by fintech (8%).



“South Africa faces a perfect storm of fraud challenges that impact the entire breadth of the economy,” Sameer Kumandan, Managing Director of SearchWorks, a data platform, said in a statement last year.



“From digital identity scams that affect consumers to complex procurement fraud that places organizations at risk, businesses need to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate financial and reputational damage as a matter of urgency.”



Geingos appealed to the public, stating, “Please don’t communicate with these fake accounts. Please report them… keep your money safe. Don’t give it to these crooks; the only intention is to rob you”.

2023 Concordia Annual Summit – September 19

Scammers Use Former Namibian First Lady’s Face To Con People As Deepfakes Continue To Rise

Nigerian Ndubuisi Egbo is little known on his own continent even though he played professionally in both Egypt and South Africa and kept goal for the Super Eagles.



His playing career ended in Albania, a most unlikely destination for an African footballer but a country where he has gone on to write his own piece of personal history.



Egbo holds the distinction of being the only African coach to have won a league title in Europe, hopefully breaking down an up-to-now formidable barrier of entry.



African coaches in Europe have been sparse; a handful of Angolans in the Portuguese league, the Senegalese Omar Daf in France’s Ligue 2 and former Nigerian superstar Sunday Oliseh, who took Fortuna Sittard up to the Dutch first division but has battled to get a job since.



But Egbo’s achievement is something special, even if in one of the smaller European countries, renowned for the repressive dictatorship that kept it closed off from the world for some three decades until the early 1990s.



“Even before I ended my career, I already started with the goalkeeping coaching license. When I was playing, a lot of coaches saw something in me, and many of them told me ‘you are going to be a good coach in the future’ because of the way they saw that I read the game. So that was in my mind early, that when I finish my playing career, I was to go into coaching,” he tells FORBES AFRICA.



Egbo started in 2011 as goalkeeper coach, and then from 2013 as assistant coach with FK Bylis. He joined FK Tirana as goalkeeper coach and assistant coach in 2014 and was three times asked to step in as caretaker coach when there was a change at the helm of the team.



“I refused, because I know how huge and big Tirana are as a team. It was only in 2019 that I accepted



the head coach role, when I finally believed it was the right time. I took my time to learn a lot from the men who coached Tirana, and also the experience I have with my coaches in Nigeria. I saw a lot of the mistakes, the positives and the negatives and from there I created my own philosophy of approach and methodology of work and that helped me a lot. And also knowing the language, being able to communicate with my players, not needing any translator, made it much easier for me to manage.”



It was a dream season for Egbo, who took over with the side in the doldrums but very quickly lifted them all the way to the title.



“My first game in charge was against Partizani, which is the biggest derby in the country, and we have not won for six years. I had a premonition that we are going to win the game even before the game and when we won the game, it was the catalyst that propelled. We went 16 games unbeaten, jumping from eighth out of 10 teams and hauling in a 12-point deficit. It was like we came back from the dead to be alive again.”



It was a groundbreaking achievement for an African in the European football industry.



“I never thought about that until towards the end of that season, when we were almost sure mathematically that were going to win the league. And then people started to call me from Nigeria and say, ‘do you know that you&#8217;re going to be the first African to win a league in Europe’. But in my work, I don&#8217;t look at the accolades. I&#8217;m the type who wants to let my work speak for itself. That is how I do my thing. At the end of the day like I always say to my players, ‘let us do the job’. And at end of the season then we can start to count our gains and our losses.”

Ndubuisi Egbo; Image suppliedw

The Only African Coach To Have Won A League Title In Europe Who Lets His Work Speak For Him

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Meta will rapidly ramp up its spending in 2025 as part of its artificial intelligence push, according to its centibillionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday, as the battle between Meta and its generative AI competitors including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI comes to the forefront this week with President Donald Trump’s announcement of the $500 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/22/musk-is-bashing-trumps-new-stargate-ai-initiative-with-openai-and-oracle-heres-why/">“Stargate”</a>&nbsp;joint venture with OpenAI.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



“This will be a defining year for AI,” Zuckerberg&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/@zuck/post/DFNf73PJxOQ" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;on the company’s Threads social media site, continuing with updates and predictions for Meta’s AI push in 2025.



Perhaps Zuckerberg’s biggest revelation Friday was his guidance for $60 billion to $65 billion in capital expenditures for Meta in 2025.



That’s well above consensus analyst forecasts of $51 billion in capital expenditures this year, according to FactSet, and Zuckerberg’s median projected capex of $62.5 billion would be 63% above Meta’s $38.4 billion in projected 2024 capex and 129% above its $27.3 billion in 2023 capex.



Meta will expand its “AI teams significantly” as part of its increased spending, declared Zuckerberg.



The billionaire also predicted Meta’s Llama 4 large-language model “will become the leading state of the art” AI model and it will end 2025 with more than 1.3 million graphics processing units, the highly coveted Nvidia-designed processors powering generative AI programs including Meta AI, xAI’s Grok and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meta-stock-rises">Meta Stock Rises</h2>



After initially declining about 1% premarket following Zuckerberg’s announcement, shares of Meta rallied Friday, advancing as much as 1.6% shortly after market open before settling into a 0.9% gain by midmorning. Meta stock scored a record intraday share price of $646.90 and all-time high market value of more than $1.6 trillion. Meta shares are up more than 8% year-to-date.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Zuckerberg’s 2025 outlook comes during a whirlwind week for generative AI after Trump capped his first full day in office announcing a $500 billion joint venture designed to build out the data center infrastructure to power OpenAI’s technology. Stargate was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/22/musk-is-bashing-trumps-new-stargate-ai-initiative-with-openai-and-oracle-heres-why/">considered</a>&nbsp;a win for OpenAI in its battle against the likes of xAI, Meta and Amazon-backed Anthropic to build out the best artificial general intelligence model, and the project highlighted a very public feud between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Trump’s close ally Musk apparently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/23/tech/elon-musk-trump-ai-sam-altman/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">undercut</a>&nbsp;the president. Meta’s push beyond social media dates back to its 2021 name change from Facebook to Meta. Wall Street initially revolted at the company’s billions of dollars in advanced tech research, as Meta stock crashed 64% in 2022, before improving financial performance and a broader investor rush into all things AI bolstered the stock’s turnaround. Since Trump won a second term in November, Zuckerberg has overseen a major culture shift at his company, ending its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/01/07/meta-ditches-fact-checks-for-x-style-community-notes-zuckerberg-says-it-will-restore-free-expression/">fact checking</a>&nbsp;and diversity, equity and exclusion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/10/tech/meta-ends-dei-programs/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">(DEI)</a>&nbsp;programs as Zuckerberg&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gemmaallen/2025/01/19/mark-zuckerbergs-masculine-energy-is-techs-power-play-laid-bare/">decried</a>&nbsp;the company’s culture as losing its “masculine energy.” Meta remains an advertising company on paper, with 98% of revenue in its most recent quarter coming from social media ads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forbes-valuations">Forbes Valuations</h2>



Zuckerberg is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/#3c20abab3d78">fourth-richest</a>&nbsp;person in the world with a $222 billion net worth, trailing only fellow American technology moguls in Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos and Oracle chairman Larry Ellison. Zuckerberg owns about 13% of Meta, a stake worth about $200 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">What To Watch For</h2>



Meta will report financial results from 2024’s fourth quarter Wednesday afternoon. Consensus estimates call for $6.75 earnings per share and $47 billion in revenue, which would both be quarterly records.

Key Speakers At The Meta Connect Event

Meta Will Spend Record $60 Billion On AI This Year, Zuckerberg Says—After Trump Announces Stargate Deal With OpenAI

South African film The Last Ranger had made it to the shortlist of the 97th Academy Awards announced yesterday. Directed by Cindy Lee, it has earned a nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category.



The 28-minute IsiXhosa film is about rhino poaching in a game reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Inspired by true events, The Last Ranger tells the story of a teenager named Litha (played by Liyabona Mroqoza) and the last remaining ranger, Khuselwa (played Avumile Qongqo). The story looks at Thandi, a rhino that miraculously survived a poaching attack at the game reserve, and the “courageous woman who fought to protect these iconic animals against all odds”.



“To have an IsiXhosa film about rhino poaching in the running for an Oscar makes me so proud. This film is unique and deserves to go all the way,” Lee said in a statement, according to News24.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-64431" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Litha-mourns-Thandi-colour-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Litha mourns Thandi (colour)</figcaption></figure></div>


“The Last Ranger is a profoundly moving cinematic experience that stands out as a masterpiece in short film storytelling… This is a piece of art that commands attention,&#8221; Jillian Corsie, Programmer, Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, said last year.



The movie has been praised for bringing attention to the ongoing issue of rhino poaching in South Africa. According to the International Rhino Foundation, rhino poaching is a major concern in South Africa, with hundreds of rhinos killed each year. In 2023, 499 rhinos were poached in the country, a concerning 10% increase compared to 2022.



South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) reported that Kruger National Park – once the hotspot for rhino poaching – saw another decrease, with 78 rhinos poached in 2023.



“I am pleased that we have managed to narrate and spark quite a critical and urgent conversation concerning the plight of rhinos and their immediate caretakers, the rangers,” Qongqo said. “We were also intentional on shining the light on the bravery of female rangers who are on the frontlines fiercely conserving and protecting our wildlife. We salute them resoundingly with this film.”



South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, released a statement today celebrating the Oscar nomination noting that The Last Ranger is a powerful tribute to the resilience of our wildlife and the unwavering dedication of conservationists who work tirelessly to safeguard our natural heritage.



“The film’s ongoing success, having already won Best Short Narrative at the 2024 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), is a clear indication of its impact and brilliance,” McKenzie said in his statement. “We are confident that it will continue to make an impact on the global stage, and we eagerly await the Oscar ceremony on 2 March 2025, hopeful for yet another triumph.”



Yesterday was also a big day for Nigerian-British actor, Cynthia Erivo, who received a nomination as Best Actress in a Leading Role at this year’s Academy Awards for her role as Elphaba in the cinematic version of the Broadway classic, Wicked. If Erivo wins the Oscar in March, the Daytime Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress will then receive the coveted EGOT status.



“&#8217;Moments like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, it is sacrilege to let them pass by without a moment of gratitude,” Erivo wrote on Instagram after the announcement. “&#8217;I often get asked what I would say to my younger self. Well, today there’s nothing to be said. She is smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear. That speaks volumes.”



Additionally, Wicked picked up another nine nominations including Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande and Best Picture along with several technical categories.



Winners of the of the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

IMG_9757

South African Film On The Plight Of Rhinos Nominated For 2025 Best Live Action Short Film At Oscars

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



OpenAI unveiled its latest artificial intelligence tool Thursday, announcing the release of “Operator,” an assistant designed to carry out a wide variety of web tasks that will first be made available for ChatGPT Pro users.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



OpenAI&nbsp;<a href="https://openai.com/index/computer-using-agent/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">described</a>&nbsp;Operator as “an agent that can go to the web to perform tasks for you,” saying it is capable of navigating web pages and interacting with the buttons and menus people see on the websites they visit.



The AI tool can complete a range of tasks including online grocery orders, ticket purchases, refund calculations, lecture downloads and combining PDFs.



OpenAI noted Operator may make mistakes with some queries and is not fully autonomous, as users may need to input information manually in some cases (e.g. logging in with usernames and passwords).



Operator also asks users for confirmation before completing tasks like sending an email or completing an order.



OpenAI said Operator cannot carry out harmful or illegal tasks, and is barred from accessing “preemptively blocked” websites like gambling, adult entertainment and drug and gun retailers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-can-use-openai-s-operator">Who Can Use Openai’s Operator?</h2>



As of Thursday, Operator is only available to users on the ChatGPT Pro plan, which costs $200 a month, though OpenAI said it plans to expand the tool to other subscription plans including ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Team and ChatGPT Enterprise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-operator-collect-user-data">Does Operator Collect User Data?</h2>



Yes, like ChatGPT, OpenAI uses conversations to train its AI models. However, users can&nbsp;<a href="https://help.openai.com/en/articles/7730893-data-controls-faq" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">opt out</a>&nbsp;of the training data gathered by Operator by turning off ChatGPT’s “improve the model for everyone” setting, which will stop new conversations from being used for AI model training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Operator is one of OpenAI’s steps toward artificial general intelligence, which is defined as the “hypothetical intelligence of a machine that possesses the ability to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can,” according to Google, one of OpenAI’s largest competitors in the AI market. The AI race between OpenAI and other players like the Google-funded Anthropic and Elon Musk’s xAI heated up quickly this year, as OpenAI—which partners with Microsoft—announced its involvement in Stargate, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/21/oracle-stock-surges-ahead-of-500-billion-stargate-openai-trump-deal/">$500 billion AI infrastructure deal</a>&nbsp;with Nvidia. Musk criticized the partnership this week, questioning its practicality and its ability to raise enough money to carry out its goals of creating American jobs and building large data centers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/23/microsofts-satya-nadella-swipes-at-stargate-ai-venture-alongside-musk-despite-openai-backing/">Microsoft’s Satya Nadella Swipes At ‘Stargate’ AI Venture Alongside Musk—Despite OpenAI Backing</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/22/musk-is-bashing-trumps-new-stargate-ai-initiative-with-openai-and-oracle-heres-why/">Musk Bashes Trump’s New Stargate AI Initiative With OpenAI And Oracle As ‘Fake’—Here’s Why</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/21/oracle-stock-surges-ahead-of-500-billion-stargate-openai-trump-deal/">Oracle Stock Surges On $500 Billion ‘Stargate’ OpenAI-Trump Deal</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)

In this photo illustration a Open AI logo is displayed on a

OpenAI’s ‘Operator’: What We Know About New AI Assistant Capable Of Ordering Groceries, Making Reservations

Africa’s next wave of innovation will likely emerge not from Lagos or Nairobi but from Kigali, Dakar, or Tunis — offering global investors the chance to discover untapped potential in the continent’s diverse and rapidly-evolving markets.



Late last year, Penelope Terranova posted a call to action on LinkedIn. Her post wasn’t just another entry in the digital ether; it was a rallying cry to experts. She sought professionals skilled in accounting, legal, and business growth to help transform Africa’s overlooked startup ecosystems. The post, which listed 18 priority countries — excluding the continent&#8217;s ‘Big 4’ of Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa — sparked a reaction.



One comment from a Nigerian LinkedIn user encapsulated a common sentiment: &#8220;Coming to Africa and leaving out Africa’s most populous nation and biggest economy, which is Nigeria, is very strange.&#8221;



Terranova responded with a measured explanation. &#8220;The Big 4 capture over 80% of all investment on the continent,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;That is why they are not in our priority of countries to invest in.&#8221;



Her reasoning was clear: Africa’s startup landscape is evolving, but much of the attention — and funding — remains concentrated in a handful of countries.



Initiatives are now on the rise with a mission to bridge that gap, focusing on regions often ignored by mainstream investors.



The Shift To Emerging Markets



This new approach reflects a broader trend. In 2024, startup funding across Africa dropped by 25%, down to $2.2 billion. However, beneath the surface of this contraction, new markets were emerging as hotbeds of innovation.



Ghana and Tanzania led the charge outside the Big 4, securing 26 deals each and raising $67 million and $53 million, respectively.



Senegal and the Ivory Coast, bolstered by regional trade integration and supportive policies, competed for leadership in Francophone West Africa.



In North Africa, the Tunisian Startup Act continued to bear fruit, making the country a leader in deep tech, spanning AI, biotech, and cloud computing, which show promise for global adoption.



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64421 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Emmanuel-Adegboye-Image-supplied-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
 &#8220;These regions have an abundance of technical talent, a low cost of living, and proximity to major markets,&#8221;- Emmanuel Adegboye. 
</blockquote>
</div></div>



Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, a structured investment program for African pre-seed stage companies, highlights the unique advantages of North African markets like Tunisia. &#8220;These regions have an abundance of technical talent, a low cost of living, and proximity to major markets,&#8221; Adegboye notes to FORBES AFRICA.



Morocco, with its robust research and development (R&amp;D) infrastructure and proximity to European markets, remained a magnet for deal activity.



Meanwhile, in East Africa, Rwanda’s innovation-friendly policies and Uganda’s steady investment attraction turned them into rising stars.



Terranova shares with FORBES AFRICA: “Sectorally, fintech remains the clear leader and is likely to remain so, even in untapped markets, as we see the rapid expansion of digital payments, lending platforms, and financial inclusion initiatives. However, other sectors such as agritech, healthtech and edtech are advancing quickly, addressing Africa’s pressing challenges of affordable and scalable solutions in those industries, with AI as a common thread driving innovation across these sectors.’’



Untapped Potential In Underserved Regions



Terranova’s team at Digital Africa focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, the most vulnerable phases in a company’s journey. Their model combines funding with robust support systems: mentorship, tools, and networking opportunities tailored to the unique challenges of operating in underserved markets. In 2024, their investment in media startup Makifaa reportedly marked the only recorded startup deal in Togo.



The impact of this strategy is two-fold. It fosters localized growth, reducing dependency on the Big 4, while also presenting new opportunities for global investors.



“Several countries shine as bright spots for investment,’’ Terranova tells FORBES AFRICA. “Countries possess varying levels of the essential ‘ingredients’ for success, which can enhance or limit the chances of local startups to thrive – such as the quality of the infrastructure, the ease of doing business, the availability of capital, the market depth, or the level of education and availability of talent.’’



Catalyzing Inclusive Innovation



For Adegboye, the approach goes beyond financial investment. “It requires building the ecosystem—strengthening local leaders, providing patient capital, and offering guidance on governance and scalability. This model ensures the long-term sustainability of startups, even in the most challenging markets.’’



Inclusivity is at the heart of Digital Africa’s mission. Gender diversity is a key metric; 50% of its portfolio consists of gender-diverse teams. The Talent4Startups initiative has trained tech professionals, bridging the talent gap for startups. “As a subsidiary of Proparco within the AFD Group and in collaboration with 60+ Startup Support Organizations across the continent, we amplify our reach, including co-investment opportunities, aligning with both financial sustainability and our mission to propel African startups,’’ Terranova explains.



The future of African startups lies not in a few dominant markets but in the collective rise of many. Channeling resources to underserved regions, promoting inclusivity, and investing in early-stage ventures, initiatives are reshaping the narrative.

Businessman working analysis business information.

The Rising Stars In Africa’s Evolving Startup Landscape

As South Africa navigates its first full year under a Government of National Unity, cautious optimism about economic reforms has been tempered by systemic challenges. Can this political arrangement deliver the stability and policy coherence necessary for meaningful growth?



South Africa–the continent’s largest economy–enters 2025 at a crossroads, with the country’s economic outlook striking a balance between cautious optimism and systemic challenges.



The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects GDP growth at 1.5%, a slight improvement over the 0.8% growth of 2024.



However, some economists remain skeptical about the ability of the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU) to deliver on the promise of stability and reform, even though initial assessments are somewhat positive.



“The GNU has been well-received by financial markets,” Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist at the Efficient Group tells FORBES AFRICA. “The multiplicity of political parties in governance provides checks and balances on one another.”



Political Realities and Challenges in Governance



Roodt’s guarded optimism is tempered by political realities. While the GNU’s formation has signaled a break from a purely ANC-driven government, ideological divides persist.



Daniel Silke, political economist and director at Political Futures Consultancy, underscores the challenges to FORBES AFRICA.



“There’s still significant political confusion within the ANC as to what policy ideology should dominate. This uncertainty hampers the implementation of any meaningful structural reforms,” he says.



Roodt, however, disagrees: “There’s no policy uncertainty,” he argues. “The ANC’s ideological framework is crystal clear—it’s socialist, developmental, and fundamentally incompatible with modern economic principles.”



Political infighting, largely driven by the ANC’s factions and ideological clashes, threatens the coalition’s effectiveness.



“The battle for leadership within the ANC is already underway ahead of the 2027 elective conference,” Silke says. “This creates an environment where long-term policy coherence is sacrificed for short-term political positioning.”



Roodt echoes these concerns, noting that while financial markets have welcomed the GNU, its stability is far from guaranteed.



“The 2026 local elections could destabilize the coalition,” he warns. “Without a unified policy approach, investor confidence could waver.”



It is not only the ANC under scrutiny. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), while often praised for governance in regions like the Western Cape, has also faced challenges, particularly at the metropolitan level.



Infrastructure – The Core to Success or Failure



South Africa’s economic vulnerabilities remain significant. Infrastructure issues—from inefficient ports to aging water systems—continue to stifle growth. While the energy crisis has eased following reforms in 2024, systemic inefficiencies remain.



In 1994, only 76.4% of households reportedly had access to piped water. According to StatsSA, from 2002 to 2023, 87% of households had access to improved water sources, though rural areas still face disparities. Similarly, electricity access rose from 36% in 1994 to almost 9o% in 2023.



Roodt acknowledges its substantial contribution in expanding access to basic services for the vast majority of South Africans.



Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue. With millions of young people excluded from the workforce, South Africa’s demographic dividend risks becoming a liability.



Despite several challenges, sectors like logistics and manufacturing present opportunities.



Silke suggests a two-pronged approach: “In the short term, lower-end manufacturing offers a realistic solution for absorbing unskilled labor. In the long term, comprehensive education reform is essential to build a skilled workforce”.



Roodt concurs but adds a note of caution: “South Africa’s education system is failing to produce graduates equipped for the demands of a modern economy. Without significant improvements, we’ll remain reliant on importing specialist skills, further hampering our ability to compete globally”.



A Nation at a Crossroads



As the nation navigates these challenges, the stakes have never been higher. South Africa stands at a crossroads, its path forward uncertain but crucial to shaping its future.



“The GNU provides an opportunity to reset South Africa’s trajectory,” says Silke. “But this requires a decisive break from outdated ideologies and a commitment to implementing difficult reforms.”



Roodt’s conclusion is more sobering: “Unless we address corruption and inefficiency at all levels of government, our growth will continue to lag behind our potential. South Africa’s future depends on bold, immediate action—and the political will to follow through”.

South African Food Inflation at 14-Year Low

South Africa’s Economy In 2025: Uncertainty In A Pivotal Year

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/01/21/netflix-is-raising-its-prices---heres-what-to-know/#open-web-0"></a><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/01/21/netflix-is-raising-its-prices---heres-what-to-know/#open-web-0"></a>Topline</h2>



Netflix announced it would be adjusting its pricing for most plans in the United States, Canada, Portugal and Argentina on Tuesday—news that came as the streaming service announced it added almost 19 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



Netflix confirmed it would be “adjusting prices” on most of its plans in its&nbsp;<a href="https://s22.q4cdn.com/959853165/files/doc_financials/2024/q4/FINAL-Q4-24-Shareholder-Letter.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">shareholder letter</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday, saying the company “will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix.”



The company’s ad-supported tier will increase one dollar from $6.99 to $7.99, the standard tier will go from $15.49 to $17.99 and the premium tier will increase $2 from $22.99 to $24.99,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/21/netflix-raises-prices.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNBC</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-price-hike-ad-plan-2024-1236280428/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Variety</a>&nbsp;reported.



The last time Netflix raised prices in the U.S. was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/10/18/netflix-hikes-prices-for-some-plans-as-subscriber-numbers-surge/">October 2023</a>, when some plans saw increases ranging from $2 to $3.



The shareholder letter said its Q4 lineup exceeded its expectations, specifically citing “Squid Game” season two, which it said is on track to become Netflix’s most watched original series season, and its entrance into sports and live events, naming the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson as the “most-streamed sporting event ever” and the two Christmas day NFL games as the most-streamed NFL games in history.



Netflix’s share price was up more than 14% in after-hours trading, rising to $995.30 as of 3:20 p.m. EST after closing the day at $869.68.



Forbes has reached out to Netflix to confirm the price increases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“When you’re going to ask for a price increase you better make sure you have the goods and the engagement to back it up, and I feel like what we have going into 2025 is just that,” co-CEO Ted Sarandos&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs00OAlxWkY" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;in Tuesday&#8217;s earnings interview call. “I definitely feel like the strength of slate has never been better.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



371.75 billion. That was Netflix’s market capitalization at Tuesday’s close.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Netflix offers three&nbsp;<a href="https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">paid plans</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.: a standard plan, a standard plan with ads and a premium plan. The standard plan allows for people to watch on two devices at a time in 1080p and download content onto two devices. It also allows people to add one non-household member. The standard plan with ads does not allow the additional member, has ad breaks and limits access to some content available on standard and premium plans. And the premium plan allows for unlimited ad-free watching on four devices at a time in a higher, 4K quality. Premium plans also allow for two non-household members and use Netflix spatial audio. The company introduced the ad-supported plan in 2022 and cracked down on password sharing in 2023, both of which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/08/20/netflix-stock-hits-record-high-first-since-2021-after-ads-password-crackdown/">helped</a>&nbsp;its subscriber growth. Netflix ended 2024 with 302 million paid members, it revealed in its shareholder letter Tuesday, up from 269.6 million in the first quarter of the year. In 2024 Netflix’s revenue also grew 16% and its operating income exceeded $10 billion for the first time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



Netflix has made two Forbes 2025 lists so far: It landed at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/americas-dream-employers/">No. 84</a>&nbsp;on America’s Dream Employers and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/most-trusted-companies/">No. 189</a>&nbsp;on Most Trusted Companies in America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/10/18/netflix-hikes-prices-for-some-plans-as-subscriber-numbers-surge/">Netflix Hikes Prices For Some Plans As Subscriber Numbers Surge</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/netflix-raises-u-s-prices-reports-jump-in-new-subscribers-39430d32" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Netflix Raises U.S. Prices, Reports Jump in New Subscribers&nbsp;</a>(The Wall Street Journal)



<a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-price-hike-2024-1236280428/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Netflix Raising Prices in U.S. Again, Including First Hike on Ad-Supported Tier</a>&nbsp;(Variety)

Video Streaming Platforms Stock Photos

Netflix Is Raising Its Prices — Here’s What To Know

South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport grapples with a severe jet fuel shortage following a refinery fire, and rushes to prevent February flight disruptions amidst mounting supply chain vulnerabilities.



A reported fire at the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF) refinery on January 4 has ignited a critical jet fuel shortage at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa’s busiest aviation hub. With current supplies sufficient to last just over seven days, stakeholders are racing against time to prevent flight disruptions in February.



Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that OR Tambo currently holds 27.1 million liters of jet fuel. With a daily consumption rate of 3.6 million liters, this reserve will sustain operations only until the week ending February 2. Meeting February’s projected requirement of 97.2 million liters has become a matter of urgency.



&#8220;The airport uses about 3.6 million liters of jet fuel a day, which means there is about 7.6 days of stock on hand until the week ending February 2,&#8221; ACSA stated in a press release last week.



The reopening of the NATREF refinery, which is only scheduled for February 27, leaves a crucial fuel gap in the interim.



In response to the crisis, ACSA has mobilized a collaborative effort with the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA), government agencies, and industry stakeholders.



Avhapfani Tshifularo, CEO of FIASA, emphasized in a press release, &#8220;We are facing a challenging situation, but we wish to assure stakeholders that the Fuels Industry Association and its members are committed to maintaining fuel availability and minimizing disruptions.&#8221;



Efforts to mitigate the shortage include prioritizing the movement of imported fuel from Durban to Gauteng via Transnet and increasing rail deliveries from Durban and Matola in Mozambique. Surplus storage capacity at King Shaka International Airport in Durban is being utilized to build reserves. Airlines are implementing measures such as tankering, which involves refueling at alternative airports to conserve OR Tambo’s limited reserves, involving several diversions of flights.



Despite these measures, airlines have raised concerns about restrictions from suppliers, leading to additional fuel stops at alternative airports. Passengers have been advised to prepare for potential delays. &#8220;ACSA recommends allocating extra time for connections, particularly for international flights,&#8221; the operator stated, and that passengers are encouraged to arrive earlier and maintain regular communication with airlines to ensure a seamless travel experience.



February’s fuel security hinges on the success of these contingency plans. FIASA has facilitated the injection of 26,000m³ of jet fuel from Durban, with 9,500m³ scheduled to arrive by January 21. &#8220;Every necessary step is being taken to maintain normal airport operations and ensure the secure and uninterrupted availability of jet fuel at OR Tambo,&#8221; ACSA emphasized.



The coordinated efforts from all parties will determine whether South Africa’s busiest airport is able to avoid disruption, with the coming weeks testing the resilience and adaptability of the aviation sector as it works to keep the skies open.

Airline Passengers As Virus Confirmed In Sub-Saharan Africa

Critical Jet Fuel Shortage In South Africa’s Busiest Airport: A Looming Crisis for February Flights

Following the presidential inauguration of newly-elected Donald Trump in the United States yesterday, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago told media in Davos today that the measures that Trump plans to take could lead to the “fragmentation of the global economy”.



“[This] could spur other countries to think that they can justify taking protectionist measures and these measures are negative for global trade. Global trade is the lifeblood of the global economy,” Kganyago told Bloomberg.



Kganyago’s observations comes on the heels of a statement by Trump, before being sworn into office, that he would enact threatened tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada by February.



Mexico and Canada are two of America’s top three trade partners, with the U.S. reportedly importing $475 billion worth of goods from Mexico and $418 billion from Canada in 2024.



According to Reuters, when asked by reporters at the White House whether he would impose a universal tariff on all imports into the U.S., Trump reportedly said: &#8220;We may. But we&#8217;re not ready for that yet.&#8221;



The rand in South Africa gained early on Monday as markets awaited Trump&#8217;s inauguration and policy announcements ahead of a week packed with domestic data releases.



Kganyago said that if the measures taken are inflationary, it could slow down the disinflation process that the central banks had so steadfastly worked on since the great inflation of 2022.



“And the risk is then that the accommodation, or should I say, the reduction in the restrictiveness of monetary policy that we had seen over the past year, could then be brought to an abrupt halt,” he added.

Opening Day Of World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025

South African Reserve Bank Governor Warns In Davos That Trump’s Policies May Fragment Global Economy

Standfirst: Africa will be the stage for FIFA World Cup matches for only the second time in the 100-year history of football’s greatest show when Morocco co-host the 2030 tournament with Spain and Portugal.



It follows South Africa’s successful tournament in 2010, when the frowns of a doubting global audience turned to cheers and smiles as the country created a party atmosphere like no other yet seen at a World Cup.



Those glorious four weeks changed perceptions about the country and the continent, and has left a lasting legacy in terms of infrastructure and goodwill, not all of which has been properly utilized in the ensuing 15 years.



It will be Morocco’s turn in five years’ time, though the goalposts have shifted since 2010.



Back then, the World Cup was a 32-team tournament that has since been expanded to 48 sides, a new format that kicks in at the next edition in 2026 when the United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosts.



Just how many matches Morocco will host in 2030 is still to be determined, but however many, it will not have the same heavy burden on stadia, training facilities and tourism infrastructure that South Africa endured.



Still, the North African nation plans to invest greatly ahead of the tournament, the bulk of which is likely to be played in Spain.



A proposed new 115,000-seater Hassan II Stadium is set to be constructed in Casablanca, which would make it the largest purpose-built stadium in the world. Construction has yet to start.



There is another new 68,700-seater venue proposed for Rabat which is currently under construction.



FIFA, in their wisdom, have announced that the opening three games of the World Cup will be staged in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, as a nod to the centenary celebrations of the first tournament held in the latter in 1930.



That has been criticized by climate campaigners as creating too large a carbon footprint, but once the action shifts to the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco from game number four, it will be a condensed event with simpler travel links.



While this will be Morocco’s moment to shine, it is also a chance for Africa to reaffirm its position in the global game by proving an able and desirable co-host.



With the new 48-team format, there are only so many countries that can be a single host of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will be in 2034 because they can develop the infrastructure they need.



Certainly, within an African context, the co-hosting model looks the most likely when the continent’s next turn comes around in 2050 or 2054.



“The Morocco, Portugal and Spain partnership brings together and unites Africa and Europe through football, and inspires all of us to work together and make the world a better place,” Confederation of African football president Dr Patrice Motsepe said.



He lobbied hard for the tournament in Morocco and while there was no serious opposition to the Bid, he made sure African nations united behind it.



“The 2030 World Cup is a source of immense pride for the entire African continent. This is truly Africa’s World Cup. Morocco has set the standard for Africa. The work (the country) has done serves as a model for sustainable football development across the continent.”



Five years may seem a long way away, but it goes by in the blink of an eye and there is much work to be done by Morocco to be ready for the tournament.



But they will add a different flavor to the Iberian duo, and a welcome dash of North African culture.



Morocco have bid several times before for the World Cup, including losing out to South Africa in 2010, but their time has now come.



They will want to put on a good show primarily for themselves, but also to showcase that African football deserves its place at the top table. It is a moment for the whole continent to celebrate.

2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers draw to be held in Zurich

‘Truly Africa’s World Cup’: Morocco’s 2030 Football Showcase To Be A Celebration For The Entire Continent

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Big-name billionaires worth a collective $1.2 trillion—including four of the five richest men in the world—attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump Monday morning as many looked to strengthen their relationship with the pro-business president as he takes office.&nbsp;(Follow here for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/01/20/trump-inauguration-live-updates-trump-will-return-to-office-in-hours/">Inauguration Day</a>&nbsp;updates.)



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194374953.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64393 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194374953.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194374953-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194374953-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Donald Trump Jr., Howard Lutnick, Sundar Pichai, Elon Musk, and Doug Burgum attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
</div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Facts</h2>



The world’s three wealthiest people attended multiple inauguration morning events:&nbsp;Amazon founder&nbsp;Jeff Bezos&nbsp;(worth $239.4 billion according to Forbes’ estimates), Meta’s&nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg&nbsp;($211.8 billion) and&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;($433.9 billion), the Tesla CEO, world’s richest person and presidential confidant who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-spent-over-quarter-billion-dollars-help-elect-trump-2024-12-06/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">spent</a>&nbsp;over a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win November&#8217;s election.



OpenAI CEO&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;($1.1 billion) and Apple CEO&nbsp;Tim Cook&nbsp;($2.2 billion), who donated money to the inauguration, were in the Capitol Rotunda Monday morning, as was billionaire backer&nbsp;Miriam Adelson&nbsp;($31.9 billion) and former Fox News Chairman&nbsp;Rupert Murdoch&nbsp;($22.2 billion).



Bernard Arnault&nbsp;($179.6 billion), the head of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury empire and the richest person in France, was&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elizlanders/status/1881398108179046670?s=46&amp;t=bUTQCdKx4w7TbNWl8KRyJw" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">at the inauguration</a>&nbsp;with his son, Alexandre.



Mukesh Ambani&nbsp;($98.1 billion), the richest man in India,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-inauguration-billionaires-ceos-ambani-zuckerberg-bezos-attend-church-2025-01-20/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reportedly</a>&nbsp;attended inauguration events, and Trump’s friend&nbsp;Phil Ruffin, a Las Vegas casino executive worth $4.7 billion, was also spotted at the Capitol, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/20/us/trump-inauguration-president/e39d0884-13c3-5d0c-912c-72acfc9cd270?smid=url-share" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>.



Several billionaires and their spouses have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/12/22/the-billionaires-trumps-picked-for-next-administration-elon-musk-tilman-fertitta-and-more/">offered top roles</a>&nbsp;in the Trump administration, including&nbsp;Howard Lutnick&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2024/11/20/the-most-hated-guy-on-wall-street-the-unspoken-story-around-howard-lutnick-trumps-pick-for-commerce-secretary/">$1.5 billion</a>) and&nbsp;Vivek Ramaswamy&nbsp;($1 billion), both of whom were seen at the inauguration.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="594" height="396" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194369892.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64391" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194369892.jpg 594w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2194369892-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Coinbase CEO&nbsp;Brian Armstrong&nbsp;($12.8 billion) was invited to inauguration-related events, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-10/openai-meta-uber-ceos-plan-to-attend-trump-inauguration-events" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>, but hadn’t yet been seen as of the swearing in.



Other billionaires who have been offered jobs in the administration, but their attendance wasn’t confirmed, include&nbsp;Stephen Feinberg&nbsp;($5 billion),&nbsp;Warren Stephens&nbsp;($3.4 billion),&nbsp;Jared Isaacman&nbsp;($1.9 billion),&nbsp;Steve Witkoff&nbsp;($1 billion), Linda McMahon (husband&nbsp;Vince McMahon&nbsp;is worth $3 billion) and Kelly Loeffler (husband&nbsp;Jeff Sprecher&nbsp;is worth $1.1 billion).



Zuckerberg co-hosted a pre-Inaugural Ball&nbsp;<a href="https://puck.news/mark-zuckerberg-is-throwing-an-inauguration-party-for-trump/?_gl=1*17fobxi*_up*MQ..*_ga*OTIwODg3ODI1LjE3MzY5MzkxMjY.*_ga_SEFD191RFM*MTczNjkzOTEyNi4xLjAuMTczNjkzOTEyNi4wLjAuMA.." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reception</a>&nbsp;for Trump alongside Adelson,&nbsp;Tilman Fertitta&nbsp;($10.2 billion) and Todd Ricketts, whose father&nbsp;J. Joe Ricketts&nbsp;and family are worth an estimated $4.2 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Much Is Trump Worth?</h2>



Trump&nbsp;himself is worth an estimated $6.7 billion thanks to his stake in Truth Social&#8217;s parent company, his real estate investments and other assets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Other Billionaires Could Attend?</h2>



Dozens of other billionaires also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/10/30/kamala-harris-has-more-billionaires-prominently-backing-her-than-trump-bezos-and-griffin-weigh-in-updated/">supported Trump</a>&nbsp;on his road to a second term who haven’t been confirmed as attendees, including&nbsp;Robert “Woody” Johnson&nbsp;($3.3 billion),&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;and&nbsp;Richard Uihlein&nbsp;(each worth $5.9 billion),&nbsp;Roger Penske&nbsp;($6.5 billion) and&nbsp;Timothy Mellon&nbsp;(family was worth $14.1 billion).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Did Billionaires Like Musk, Bezos And Zuckerberg Back Trump’s Campaign?</h2>



Some of them did, but others either stayed out of the presidential race or were Trump foes before they started trying to make nice. Zuckerberg’s Meta previously&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/01/07/mark-zuckerberg-blasts-trump-and-announces-indefinite-ban-on-presidents-facebook-instagram-accounts/">banned</a>&nbsp;Trump from Instagram and Facebook—and Trump once&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/28/trump-zuckerberg-election-book-00176639" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">threatened</a>&nbsp;to send him to prison—before he fell in line following the election results. Since then, Zuckerberg has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/12/23/ford-will-donate-1-million-fleet-of-vehicles-to-trump-inauguration-latest-company-to-contribute/">donated</a>&nbsp;$1 million to his inaugural fund,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/trump-zuckerberg-meet-mar-a-lago-semafor-reports-2025-01-11/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">met with Trump</a>&nbsp;at Mar-A-Lago, made&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/01/07/meta-ditches-fact-checks-for-x-style-community-notes-zuckerberg-says-it-will-restore-free-expression/">changes</a>&nbsp;to how its platforms fact-check posts and put Trump’s friend Dana White on Meta’s board. In the leadup to the election, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate but did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-19/mark-zuckerberg-calls-donald-trump-badass-without-endorsing-for-president" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">call</a>&nbsp;Trump’s response to his assassination attempt “badass.” Bezos also has a history of clashing with Trump: Amazon in 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2019/12/09/amazon-blames-trumps-personal-dislike-of-bezos-for-losing-pentagon-jedi-contract/">blamed Trump&#8217;s</a>&nbsp;&#8220;personal dislike&#8221; of Bezos for losing a multibillion-dollar cloud computing contract with the Pentagon, and Trump has been critical of the Bezos-owned Washington Post. Bezos didn’t endorse Trump last year but&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JeffBezos/status/1812315786507088370?lang=en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;he “showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire” following the assassination attempt, and donated $1 million to the inaugural fund. Others have supported him all along. Musk is among Trump’s biggest donors, alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/miriam-adelson/?list=rtb/">Adelson</a>, the widow of billionaire Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, who donated $100 million to the pro-Trump super PAC Preserve America during the election.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/tilman-fertitta/?list=rtb/">Fertitta</a>, owner of the Houston Rockets and Landry’s restaurant group, has been nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy after the Texas billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/21/donald-trump-tilman-fertitta-ambassador/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">hosted a fundraiser</a>&nbsp;for Trump last year. Ricketts, a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/trump-collides-with-the-world-of-baseball" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">major fundraiser</a>&nbsp;for Republican politicians and, while he initially fundraised within the party against Trump during his first campaign, he ultimately went on to spearhead pro-Trump fundraising in 2020 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/todd-ricketts-attending-trump-campaign-fundraiser" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">last year</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tangent</h2>



Other corporate leaders planned on attending the inauguration, including Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-inauguration-ceos-business-fundraising-2b0d5086" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended, after his platform took itself offline Sunday due to a nationwide ban taking effect—and restored service when Trump vowed to delay the ban upon taking office. Other supporters are throwing events around Washington over inauguration weekend,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-inauguration-ceos-business-fundraising-2b0d5086" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">including</a>&nbsp;an “Inaugural Crypto Ball” that featured Snoop Dogg and a party held by Uber and its CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-10/openai-meta-uber-ceos-plan-to-attend-trump-inauguration-events" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Dara Khosrowshahi</a>. James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola Company, on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/margomartin/status/1879330618225676448" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">presented Trump</a>&nbsp;with the &#8220;first ever Presidential Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke bottle.&#8221; Microsoft, Ford, Google and AI search startup Perplexity also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/01/09/google-will-donate-another-1-million-to-trumps-record-high-inaugural-fund/">donated $1 million</a>&nbsp;to the inaugural fund.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/donald-trump-inauguration-ceos-business-fundraising-2b0d5086" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ripple</a>, a crypto company, gave $5 million worth of its cryptocurrency to the inaugural committee. Other major donors include Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Toyota, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, General Motors, Bank of America, AT&amp;T and Stanley Black &amp; Decker, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/trump-inauguration-sponsors-large-company-donations-a3cc1b92?mod=article_inline" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Journal reported</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Number</h2>



More than $170 million. That’s how much Trump’s inaugural fund is believed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/us/politics/trump-inauguration-donors.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">have raised,</a>&nbsp;almost three times as much as the $62 million raised by President Joe Biden four years ago and well above the previous record of $107 million, set by Trump&#8217;s 2016 inauguration. Donors who gave $1 million, or raised $2 million from others, were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/trump-inauguration-sponsors-large-company-donations-a3cc1b92?mod=article_inline" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reportedly given</a>&nbsp;six tickets to a series of events in the days leading up to the inauguration, including a “candlelight dinner” with Trump and Melania Trump and a black-tie ball.

The Inauguration Of Donald J. Trump As The 47th President

Billionaires Worth A Combined $1.2 Trillion Attended Trump’s Inauguration: Here’s Who Was There—From Musk To Bezos

AI on smartphones is redefining how we interact with technology, from quicker search with voice to smarter photo edits and predicting daily needs before we realize them. Plus, with AI’s pattern-learning, a more personalized user experience.



Samsung first introduced AI to the smartphone with the S24 line-up early in 2024, followed by its Z Foldable range mid-year. Subsequently, brands like Apple, Honor, Oppo and Xiaomi have all introduced some level of AI on its devices.



Androids share similar features, powered by Google AI, such as Gemini – a rival to ChatGPT; Circle to Search; Magic Eraser; Photomojis; and protection against spam and scam calls.



Other features per manufacturer include the ability to summarize notes, create bullet points, transcribe audio and turn it into notes, translate text into multiple languages, summarize web articles to bullet points, etc.



Some devices can compose emails, messages, and social media posts using generative AI, all natively. You just explain the message you want to convey and select different tones, such as professional, casual, friendly, and so on, to get the desired results.



A feature worth noting is Circle to Search, an intuitive way to search for anything you see online, even by pausing a video. You simply long-press the home button, circle what’s on your screen, and receive immediate Google results, with follow-up queries.



Apple also offers AI features, but was late to the party when Apple Intelligence rolled out to more English-speaking markets in December 2024, including South Africa, after its U.S. launch at the end of October.



It helps you write; generate images by description with Image Playground or custom emojis; clean up photos by removing unwanted objects; and search intuitively with Siri, which uses ChatGPT when it can’t answer, but asks first if you want ChatGPT to fulfil the request.



You can already use the ChatGPT standalone app, but Apple gives you another layer of privacy when using it through Private Cloud Compute, which deletes your data after the request, whereas ChatGPT uses all your inputs to further train its AI.



AI’s global growth, but Africa’s smartphone decline



AI is revolutionizing industries, with companies and investors pouring billions into research and development across industries like healthcare, finance, entertainment, and consumer technology.



According to a TechCrunch article, the generative AI bubble did not burst in 2024. It reports that investments in generative AI worldwide raised $56 billion from VCs in 2024, from 885 deals. The data was compiled by financial tracker PitchBook for TechCrunch.



That figure is a new record for the segment, when compared to 2023’s total investment of $29.1 billion from 691 deals, it says.



According to the International Data Corporation (IDC)’s five-year forecast for GenAI-capable smartphones, it predicted shipments to reach 234.2 million for 2024, up 363.6% from 50.5 million in 2023, and projects 912 million in 2028.



The IDC predicted total smartphone shipments to grow 5.8% to 1.23 billion units in 2024, up from its previous forecast of 4% growth to 1.21 billion units.



While total and GenAI shipments for the year 2024 is yet to be released, data from research firm Canalys reveals that Africa’s smartphone market grew by 3% year-on-year in Q3 for 2024, reaching 18.4 million units, which it says reflects resilience amid a complex economic landscape.



“South Africa, after six quarters of double-digit growth, saw a sharp 10% decline in shipments as economic uncertainties dampened consumer spending, despite easing inflation and interest rate cuts,” it said.



In the same quarter, Kenya’s shipments also dropped by 10%, whereas Nigeria experienced a 1% growth. North African countries like Egypt saw a 34% growth, but Morocco experienced a 24% decline.



Manish Pravinkumar, Senior Analyst at Canalys for the Middle East and Africa, says the future of Africa’s smartphone market holds immense potential, but significant hurdles remain.



“Feature phones maintained a 55% share of total shipments as of Q3 2024, limiting smartphone expansion. High device taxes continue to hinder growth, posing a dilemma for policymakers between immediate revenue needs and the long-term benefits of broader smartphone adoption,” says Pravinkumar.



“Enhanced smartphone accessibility could drive the development of a robust digital economy, generating sustainable tax revenues over time. Despite these barriers, growing demand for affordable devices, expanding 4G network coverage and innovative financing models, are expected to sustain growth.”



Canalys forecasts a 1% compound annual growth rate for Africa from 2024 to 2028, with 4G remaining the primary driver of new mobile subscriptions over the next five years.



The global race for AI may have started, but Africa is lagging behind.

AI Boosts Smartphones Globally, But Why Africa Faces Challenges

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



TikTok said Sunday it was “restoring service” to U.S. users, about 14 hours after it abruptly shut itself down minutes before a nationwide ban took effect—a move prompted by President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to halt the ban when he takes office Monday by extending a deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell the app.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Timeline</h2>



1:50 p.m. EST, January 19TikTok is now back online for many American users, sending a popup message that states: “Welcome back!” adding, “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.”—though it still does not appear to be available on Apple’s App Store.



1 p.m. EST, January 19Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, warned that “any company that hosts, distributes, services or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability” in <a href="https://x.com/SenTomCotton/status/1881038993875140640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a tweet</a> responding to the company’s announcement that it’s restoring the app.



1 p.m. EST, January 19Some TikTok users reported the app has started working again.



12:30 p.m. EST, January 19TikTok <a href="https://x.com/TikTokPolicy/status/1881030712188346459" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a> it “is in the process of restoring service” and thanked Trump for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties,” adding the company “will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”



11:55 a.m. EST, January 19TikTok now greets users with a popup saying it is “working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible”—but the message no longer praises Trump for promising to “work with” the platform, after <a href="https://x.com/mikeisaac/status/1880826325189156936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drawing some criticism</a>.



10:00 a.m. EST, January 19Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113855616848696050" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> he will sign an executive order Monday delaying the TikTok ban and called for the platform to be taken over by a joint venture with U.S. and current owners, also urging companies to prevent TikTok from “going dark” and vowing “no liability” for any tech firms that act before Monday (the law gives Trump the power to extend the ban for up to 90 days if ByteDance is making progress toward a sale).



7:03 a.m. EST, January 19Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113854921940858148" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posted</a> to Truth Social: “SAVE TIKTOK.”



12:00 a.m. EST, January 19A nationwide ban on TikTok took effect, formally barring internet service providers and app stores from offering the ultra-popular social media platform.



11:00 p.m. EST, January 18TikTok shut itself down in the United States at some point before 11 p.m. EST, greeting American users with a message that said “you can’t use TikTok for now” due to a “law banning TikTok” set to take effect Sunday—but the platform noted Trump “has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.” (Read <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/18/tiktok-shuts-down-in-us-before-ban-takes-effect-heres-what-to-know/">more here</a>.)



12:30 p.m. EST, January 18Trump <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/18/trump-says-hell-most-likely-delay-tiktok-ban-for-90-days/">signaled</a> he would “most likely” issue a 90-day extension on the TikTok ban, saying an announcement would “probably” come Monday, though he did not definitively say whether he would do so.



January 17TikTok said in a <a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/tiktokjan-17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> its service will “be forced to go dark” on Jan. 19 unless the Biden administration—which <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/statement-by-white-house-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-regarding-tiktok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> earlier on Friday TikTok “should remain available to Americans” if “under American ownership”—guarantees Apple, Google and other service providers won’t be punished by supporting the app.



January 17The Supreme Court ruled the law does not violate the First Amendment rights of the app and its users, upholding the federal government’s national security argument and leaving TikTok open to a ban on Jan. 19 unless it is sold to an American company.



January 16The Biden administration does not plan to intervene against the law forcing TikTok’s ban or sale by Jan. 19, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/politics/biden-administration-tiktok-ban/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a> <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-leave-trump-implement-tiktok-ban/story?id=117753133&amp;cid=social_twitter_abcn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple</a> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-16/tiktok-poised-for-reprieve-as-trump-team-pledges-extension?srnd=homepage-asia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outlets</a>, one day after <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-administration-keep-tiktok-available-us-rcna187902" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC News</a> reported Biden’s team was “exploring options” on how it can avoid the app being shut down—though <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-leave-trump-implement-tiktok-ban/story?id=117753133&amp;cid=social_twitter_abcn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ABC reports</a> Biden also won’t take action to enforce the ban against app stores or internet providers.



January 16Schumer <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/news/press-releases/leader-schumer-floor-remarks-urging-an-extension-of-the-tiktok-ban_to-allow-time-for-a-workable-solution--to-protect-americans-livelihoods-and-protect-against-ccp-surveillance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> it is “clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer,” noting Senate Democrats’ failed attempt to <a href="https://x.com/SenateDems/status/1879965995759980830" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pass a bill</a> extending the Jan. 19 deadline and urging lawmakers for a solution that keeps TikTok in the U.S. while also protecting Americans’ data privacy (the law banning TikTok unless ByteDance sells the app passed on a bipartisan basis last year).



January 15TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/01/16/tiktok-ceo-will-reportedly-attend-trumps-inauguration-as-ban-threat-looms/">expected to attend</a> Trump’s inauguration, according to The New York Times.



January 14ByteDance <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/14/heres-how-much-elon-musk-could-buy-tiktok-for-as-china-reportedly-eyes-deal/">would likely expect</a> $40 billion to $50 billion for the platform’s U.S. operations, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimated (other analysts have offered <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2025/01/15/how-much-billions-tiktok-really-worth-possible-ban/">a range of figures</a> for how much TikTok is worth, depending on whether the deal includes TikTok’s powerful content algorithm).



January 13Chinese government officials have considered selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Trump-allied billionaire Elon Musk if the Supreme Court does not stop the ban from going through on Jan. 19, reported <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-14/china-discusses-sale-of-tiktok-us-to-musk-as-one-possible-option" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter—though the people noted the deliberations are preliminary and officials prefer to keep TikTok under the ownership of China-based ByteDance (ByteDance told Forbes it “can&#8217;t be expected to comment on pure fiction” when asked about the Bloomberg report).



January 10The Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the law requiring TikTok to be sold to a U.S. company or face a ban, with justices appearing “inclined” to uphold the law after appearing satisfied with its focus on the controversial Chinese ownership of the app’s parent company, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/10/us/tiktok-ban-supreme-court/supreme-court-tiktok-ban-law?smid=url-share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Times</a>.



January 9Billionaire <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ahead-of-january-19-deadline-project-liberty-announces-a-formal-offer-to-acquire-tiktok-us-302346575.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frank McCourt</a>’s Project Liberty announced a proposal to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations—but not its algorithm—by migrating American users to a locally run digital infrastructure, a deal McCourt <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2025/01/15/how-much-billions-tiktok-really-worth-possible-ban/">has suggested</a> could be worth $20 billion, with interest from other investors like “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary (it’s unclear whether ByteDance is considering the offer).



January 6O’Leary, part of <a href="https://www.thepeoplesbid.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The People&#8217;s Bid for TikTok</a>, told Fox News’ Martha MacCallum he <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/kevin-oleary-buy-tiktok-shark-tank/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planned to buy</a> the app and that he would need Trump’s help to do so.



January 3The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to uphold the law forcing the ban or sale of TikTok despite Trump’s <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/01/03/can-trump-stop-tiktok-ban-heres-what-he-can-and-cant-do-if-supreme-court-upholds-law/">support of the app</a>, arguing TikTok has not shown enough to reason to justify a pause of the law’s date of taking effect and that Trump has not presented a viable argument for a pause.



December 27, 2024Trump opposed the potential ban of TikTok in a <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-656/336151/20241227163400981_2024-12-27%20-%20TikTok%20v.%20Garland%20-%20Amicus%20Brief%20of%20President%20Donald%20J.%20Trump.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">court filing</a>, arguing if the Supreme Court intervenes, he could secure a “political resolution” after his Jan. 20 inauguration that would keep the app in the U.S.



December 18, 2024The Supreme Court announced it will review TikTok’s challenge against the federal law that could potentially ban the app, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/12/18/supreme-court-will-decide-tiktok-bans-fate-as-justices-take-up-case/">scheduling oral arguments</a> for Jan. 10—just days before the law is set to become effective.



December 16, 2024TikTok requested an injunction from the Supreme Court that would <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/12/16/tiktok-asks-supreme-court-to-stop-federal-ban/">block the ban</a> against it until the conservative majority court rules on TikTok’s legality or dismisses the case, saying the pause would “create breathing room for this Court to conduct an orderly review &#8230; before this vital channel for Americans to communicate with their fellow citizens and the world is closed.”



December 16, 2024Chew met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to <a href="https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1868761606542524712" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNN</a>, and argued an injunction from the Supreme Court, which was ultimately not granted, would give Trump’s <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/11/12/trump-tiktok-ban-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok-friendly administration</a> time to comment on the matter.



December 6, 2024The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/12/06/tiktok-ban-upheld-in-court/">denied TikTok’s petition</a> to review the law against TikTok after the court’s three-judge panel said national security concerns outweigh TikTok’s First Amendment rights, later declining TikTok’s request to halt its ruling upholding the law.



May 14, 2024Eight TikTok users sued the federal government, accusing them of First Amendment violations and calling the ban “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/05/14/tiktok-users-sue-federal-government-over-potential-ban/">unconstitutionally overbroad</a>.”



May 7, 2024TikTok <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2024/05/07/tiktok-fights-back-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-its-suit-against-the-us-government/">filed suit</a> against the federal government, challenging the constitutionality of the ban and arguing the app and its American users were having their First Amendment rights violated.



April 24, 2024President Joe Biden signed the bill requiring TikTok to be sold or banned, provoking a response from the platform, which claimed in a <a href="https://x.com/TikTokPolicy/status/1783149300471525637" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> it “invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation.”



April 23, 2024The Senate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/04/23/potential-tiktok-ban-clears-key-senate-vote-part-of-israel-ukraine-taiwan-aid-package/">voted 80-19</a> to pass the bill, which Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said was done to “prevent foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, maligned operations, harming vulnerable Americans, our servicemen and women, and our U.S. government personnel.”



April 20, 2024The House in an overwhelming <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/04/20/house-approves-nationwide-tiktok-ban-heres-what-to-know/">360-58</a> vote passed the legislation against TikTok, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., saying in a <a href="https://x.com/nicholaswu12/status/1767910828861174000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> the legislation was “designed to address legitimate national security and privacy concerns.”

Wildly Popular Social Media App TikTok Unavailable For U.S. Users

TikTok Ban Live Updates: TikTok Back Online For Many Users—As Trump Promises To Delay US Ban

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The Israeli government approved Friday a ceasefire deal to end fighting in Gaza, paving the way for a six-week ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas on Sunday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Facts</h2>



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government ratified the deal, which came after a six-hour cabinet meeting that ended around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday in Jerusalem, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-ceasefire-updates?taid=678ae61a7adf430001490ee5&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">multiple</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jan/17/israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal-gaza-live-blog-updates-netanyahu-hostages?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other#top-of-blog" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">outlets</a>.



Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued overnight into Friday and 113 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire and hostage deal was first announced Wednesday evening,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-security-council-approves-hostage-ceasefire-deal-hamas/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the Hamas-run Civil Emergency Service.



Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-holds-off-approving-gaza-ceasefire-us-says-deal-is-track-2025-01-17/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">on Friday said</a>&nbsp;that obstacles surrounding the terms of the agreement— like Netanyahu’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/pms-office-claims-hamas-creating-last-minute-crisis-and-backing-out-of-some-agreements/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">claims</a>&nbsp;Hamas had backed out of parts of the deal—were resolved.



The three-stage ceasefire plan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-holds-off-approving-gaza-ceasefire-us-says-deal-is-track-2025-01-17/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">will see</a>&nbsp;Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children and men over 50, and Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails within the first six-week phase.



The deal could also ease hostilities in the Middle East, where the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemens-houthis-continue-attacks-if-gaza-ceasefire-breached-2025-01-16/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">war has spread</a>&nbsp;to include Iran and its proxies, including Lebanon&#8217;s Hezbollah and Yemen&#8217;s Houthis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Do We Know About The Ceasefire Deal?</h2>



On Wednesday evening, U.S. officials confirmed to the Associated Press that the ceasefire agreement was reached after a last-minute dispute was resolved. Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/15/world/israel-hamas-cease-fire-deal-gaza/e52b4e9d-9716-5a82-9dc3-adaf98840b7b?smid=url-share" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;the first phase of the deal will take 42 days and involve Israeli forces moving away from populated areas and 33 hostages being returned from Gaza. President Joe Biden said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that American hostages would be released during the first phase. Biden also said the deal will “halt the fighting in Gaza (and) surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians,” and noted the agreement was the result of extreme pressure on Hamas and “dogged and painstaking American diplomacy.” Biden said the plan is similar to the one he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/05/31/israel-offered-hamas-a-new-cease-fire-proposal-biden-says/">introduced</a>&nbsp;last May, and he is “deeply satisfied this day has” come, noting there was no way for this war to end other than with a hostage deal. Biden also acknowledged the “hell” Palestinians have gone through, saying, “too many innocent people have died, too many communities have been destroyed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Crucial Quote</h2>



“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113833442957238587" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">posted on Truth Social</a>&nbsp;just after noon on Wednesday, confirming the deal. Members of Trump’s team have been involved in talks, including his incoming Middle East advisor Steve Witkoff.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Was Trump Involved In The Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal?</h2>



Trump’s team&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/10/politics/gaza-israel-hamas-ceasefire-biden-trump-backing/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">worked alongside</a>&nbsp;Biden’s administration in its final push for a ceasefire, and members of Trump’s team were reportedly involved in talks, including his incoming Middle East advisor Steve Witkoff. The president-elect said&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113833531533520804" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">on Truth Social</a>&nbsp;Wednesday his national security team, via Witkoff, “will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.” Trump said in the post the agreement “could have only happened as a result of” him winning office in November, saying it “signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies.” In his press conference Wednesday, Biden said that while his administration negotiated the terms of the ceasefire, it will be up to the Trump administration to ensure it’s implemented, saying they’re handing “the next team a real opportunity for a brighter future in the Middle East” and he hopes they take it. Biden added he directed his team to “coordinate closely” with Trump’s incoming administration to ensure “they’re all speaking with the same voice.” One diplomat&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/15/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/#link-RO4YL25X2ZB6DJP3TWPCCUIFTE" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told The Washington Post</a>&nbsp;Trump’s influence put added pressure on Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement, noting it was “the first time there has been real pressure on the Israeli side to accept a deal.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Surprising Fact</h2>



When Biden was leaving his press conference, a reporter asked whether he or Trump should get credit for the deal, to which he said: “Is that a joke?” before leaving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Background</h2>



Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,000 people and taking about 240 people hostage, prompting a massive Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. The two sides have been in a nearly-constant war since then. There was a brief pause in fighting in November 2023 when Hamas and Israel agreed on a temporary ceasefire in which about 100 hostages were released, but they have not been able to agree to terms of another ceasefire in the last year. Since the Oct. 7 attack, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/06/12/hamas-and-israel-accused-of-war-crimes-in-un-commissioned-report/">report</a>&nbsp;by a United Nations-created commission accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes and violating international law. As the war has gone on, Israel has also faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/10/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas-rafah" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">mounting criticisms</a>&nbsp;from other countries, including the U.S., for not allowing enough&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/06/16/israel-says-it-will-pause-daytime-fighting-near-gaza-border-to-allow-humanitarian-aid/">aid</a>&nbsp;into the Gaza Strip and for not taking adequate measures to avoid harming civilians.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Number</h2>



98. That’s how many hostages officials believe remain in Gaza, and about 60 are expected to still be alive,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/15/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>&nbsp;reported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">When Does The Ceasefire Take Effect?</h2>



The first phase of the ceasefire will begin on Sunday, Jan. 19. Biden said as part of the first phase, negotiations will continue as to what the future of Gaza will look like.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/01/07/trump-warns-all-hell-will-break-out-if-hamas-doesnt-return-hostages-by-inauguration/">Trump Warns ‘All Hell Will Break Out’ If Hamas Doesn’t Return Hostages By Inauguration</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-ceasefire-updates#00000194-6b63-ddb2-afb6-fffb740b0000" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Live updates: Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, multiple officials say&nbsp;</a>(Associated Press)

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Visits Berlin

Israel Government Approves Gaza Ceasefire And Hostage Deal

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The cancer burden in the United States is shifting towards women and younger people, a new American Cancer Society&nbsp;<a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21871" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;released Thursday shows, with disease rates in one group—women aged 50 to 64—surpassing those of men for the first time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



Cancer rates in women under 50 have soared when compared to their male counterparts, the study shows, and are now 82% higher than the rates seen in men, up from 51% in 2002.



The shift can be partially blamed on increasing trends for breast and thyroid cancers, the study says, which make up almost half of all cancers in people under 50 and mostly impact women.



At the same time, rates of common cancers like melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate are decreasing in men under 50.



The lifetime probability of being diagnosed with an invasive cancer is now only slightly higher for men (39.9%) than for women (39%), the research shows, much lower than the 1.6% higher chance men had of being diagnosed than women in 1992.



The cancer burden is also shifting by age—new diagnoses in adults aged 65 and older decreased from 61% in 1995 to 59% in 2021, while people aged 50 to 64 and people younger than 50 saw increases in the cancer patient population.



Cancer rates are also on the rise among adolescents aged 15 to 19, but have declined in children ages 14 and below, while mortality rates for both groups have dropped significantly (by 63% and 70%, respectively) since 1970.



Overall, the cancer mortality rate declined by 34% between 1991 and 2022 in the United States, but incidents rates continue to rise in common cancers like breast, pancreatic, uterine corpus, melanoma, liver and some oral cancers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">Surprising Fact</h2>



Among those younger than 65 years, lung cancer incidence was higher in women than in men in 2021 for the first time ever, the study shows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



2,041,910. That&#8217;s how many cancer diagnoses are expected in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society. An estimated 988,660 of those cases will be in women, 294,220 of which are expected to die. Roughly 323,900 men are expected to die of cancer in 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



The study also looked at cancer inequalities by race. Native Americans see rates of kidney, liver, stomach and cervical cancers two to three times higher than white people, and Black people are twice as likely to die of prostate, stomach and uterine corpus cancers when compared to white people. Black people are also 50% more likely to die from cervical cancer, which is preventable, the American Cancer Society says.

Breast ultrasound exam

More Women And Young People Are Getting Cancer Than Before, New Report Shows

As FRELIMO’s candidate takes office under tight security and allegations of electoral fraud, opposition boycotts, youth-led protests, and mounting socioeconomic pressures reflect a nation at a crossroads.



Yesterday’s inauguration ceremony in Maputo marked a pivotal moment in Mozambique’s fraught political landscape, as Daniel Chapo assumed the Presidency amid allegations of electoral fraud and heavy security measures.



The Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) faced intense scrutiny following reports of ballot-tampering and intimidation in last year’s election. At least eight people were reportedly killed by security forces during protests surrounding the inauguration, while a local civil society group has said more than 300 people have been killed in clashes with security forces since October.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64363" style="width:659px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhameTOWYAIEt7y.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Daniel Chapo (Image courtesy of X) </figcaption></figure></div>


Chapo’s ascent to power continues despite months of legal challenges and widespread public outrage. According to independent political analyst Marisa Lourenço in an interview with FORBES AFRICA, institutional domination by FRELIMO left opponents little room to maneuver once the official results were certified.



“FRELIMO controls the Electoral Commission and the courts,” she says, adding, “so there aren’t any other legal or formal avenues to continue to challenge the results.”



A Bloody Backdrop to a Presidential Inauguration



 Chapo’s inauguration took place under tight security in Maputo’s Independence Square, following general elections held on October 9, 2024. Observers, both local and international, raised alarms over alleged irregularities in the voting process.



Opposition parties, including the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), boycotted the ceremony, while upstart party, Podemos chose a more qualified acceptance by taking parliamentary seats.



Public sentiment has been notably tense, with many citizens accusing FRELIMO of corruption and authoritarian methods.



Background on the 2024 General Elections



The stakes were high when the country went to the polls, given Mozambique’s economic challenges and FRELIMO’s decades in power. RENAMO brought its own legacy of conflict with FRELIMO, while MDM sought to bolster its influence. Podemos emerged as a fresh alternative for many voters.



Independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane claimed a majority of votes, labeling the official results a “theft of the people’s will”.



Complaints, tampering and intimidation characterized the post-election landscape. The Constitutional Court introduced minor adjustments to Chapo’s vote share and reallocated a few parliamentary seats but did not address deeper systemic grievances.



Opposition Reaction and Legal Recourse



 Mondlane’s insistence that he won—bolstered by viral social media videos—added to the nationwide protests, which escalated after his lawyer was killed under suspicious circumstances. RENAMO and MDM announced boycotts of parliament, citing what they viewed as blatant electoral fraud. However, the promise of parliamentary influence and financial benefits prompted Podemos to accept its seats on January 13.



“They have more money and power to gain in accepting the situation than if they continue to oppose it,” observes Lourenço.



The Constitutional Court’s validation of the results effectively closed any formal channels for renewed litigation.



Efforts to Rebuild Trust



Though Chapo’s final tally was marginally reduced, many citizens saw it as a superficial measure that failed to dispel deep-rooted skepticism.



Furthermore, high unemployment and pervasive corruption has disproportionately affected younger Mozambicans, who have played a visible role in recent protests. Many reject FRELIMO’s liberation-era credentials.



“They also tired very quickly of main opposition RENAMO and were key to the success of Podemos,” says Lourenço, illustrating the generational shift.



Calls for job creation and anti-corruption measures have intensified, and observers have reportedly warned of potential radicalization if grievances remain unanswered.



Government Response and Long-Term Implications



Chapo’s presidency so far suggests FRELIMO will prioritize stability and security control. Human rights advocates have also condemned the use of live ammunition on protesters.



“FRELIMO under former president Filipe Nyusi has become much more draconian, and so is likely to continue to clamp down on dissent,” Lourenço states.



Rising inflation, frequent public-sector strikes, and a potential exodus of skilled workers loom large. FRELIMO’s closer ties to authoritarian governments could further strain relations with democratic neighbors and investors.



“This election has been a turning point,” Lourenço comments. “It has shown just how far FRELIMO will go to protect itself.”



Civic organizations also continue to demand electoral reforms, media freedoms, and more decisive anti-corruption measures.



“Mozambique’s political future looks fraught with clashes between a rigid ruling party and a largely disillusioned population,” says Lourenço.



“While immediate post-inauguration tensions might recede, the deeper issues—corruption, inequality, youth disenfranchisement—will keep re-emerging until they’re adequately addressed.”

Category: Current Affairs