Business
AFRIMA 2017 Calendar Unveiling: African music stars confirm attendance
| An impressive array of African music stars have confirmed attendance at the 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Calendar unveiling event scheduled to hold in partnership with the African Union Commission and the ONE Campaign on Tuesday, May 2, at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. |
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Confirmed music stars who will be joining members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, AU officials and ONE executives at the event include Jimmy Dludlu, (Winner, AFRIMA 2016 Best Jazz); Mi Casa (AFRIMA 2016 Nominee); Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Winner, AFRIMA 2015 Legend Award); Busiswa (Winner, AFRIMA 2015 Best Female Artiste, Southern Africa); The Soil (AFRIMA 2015 Nominee); Heavy K (Winner, AFRIMA 2014 Best Male Artiste, Southern Africa); Cindy Munyavi (Winner, AFRIMA 2014 Best Female Artiste, Southern Africa) and Fungisia (AFRIMA 2014 Nominee), among others.
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| Other dignitaries expected at the event are Head of Culture Division, African Union, Ms. Angela Martins; members of the International Committee of AFRIMA represented by: President and Executive Producer AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; Director, Brand Communication, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi, Regional Director, Central Africa, Mr. Ernest Ewane; Member, AFRIMA Jury, Mr. Chris Syren and Associate Producer, Adenrele Niyi, including representatives of ONE Campaign led by Executive Director (interim), ONE in Africa, Ms. Nachilala Nkombi. | |
| The music, media and entertainment sectors of Southern Africa will also have a strong representation with the presence of Managing Director, Vth Season, Mr. Raphael Benza; Director, Vth Season, Ms. Ninel Musson; Founder Native Rhythms Productions, Dr. Sipho Sithole; CEO, Planet TV, South Africa, Ms.Mabel Mabaso, and MD, Content Connect Africa, Mr. Munya Chanesta amongst many others.
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In a letter dated April 10, 2017 with Ref. DSA/CUL/16/632.17 on the AFRIMA 2017 programme of activities, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union, Her Excellency Ms. Amira Elfadil said that her office will work closely with AFRIMA in promoting the cultural and creative industries to provide meaningful contribution to the economic development of Africa.
“We propose the joint efforts of AU and AFRIMA for the popularization of AU policy instruments, such as the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, the AU plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, the African Union agenda 2063 Aspiration 05 on heritage and culture amongst others, through AFRIMA platform”.
ONE in Africa, Executive Director, Ms Nachilala Nkombo, similarly reiterated the global campaign organisation’s commitment to partnering with AFRIMA. “We are delighted to continue working with AFRIMA and the African Union. In the past, ONE has collaborated with various artists to engage African citizens on issues that affects us collectively these have included food security, health, economic opportunity and gender. These artists have also used their voices to get the attention of our governments too. This year, ONE will use its partnership with AFRIMA and the AU to call on African governments to prioritise the demographic dividend recommendations focusing we have developed with our partners to seek urgent action on education, employment and empowerment for it rapidly growing youth population. We look forward to have Africa’s brightest musicians play a role on this agenda and be recognised for their social impact”.
AFRIMA is the biggest and number one music property in Africa developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa. Stimulating conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe, about the great potentials and values for the purpose of reducing poverty through job creation. AFRIMA seeks to promote the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.
Official event partners for the AFRIMA 2017 Event Calendar Unveiling are The African Union, ONE, The Maslow Hotel, Content Connect Africa and PRM Africa.
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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