Startupinsight

Aurum Digital Consulting Limited has introduced MidlifeCare Africa, a digital platform developed to support African women as they navigate perimenopause, menopause and the broader changes associated with midlife. MidlifeCare Africa, developed by Aurum Digital Consulting Limited, provides African women with private digital tools and practical information to help them better understand their midlife experiences and prepare for healthcare conversations. The platform combines practical information with private digital tools that help women document what they are experiencing, recognise changes over time and prepare for conversations with healthcare professionals. Aurum developed the product in response to what it identified as an important gap in women’s digital health: while considerable attention has traditionally been given to areas such as fertility and pregnancy, women entering perimenopause and menopause also need accessible tools designed around their stage of life. “Women do not st...

 As Nigerian entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of growing their businesses, Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) is bringing experienced professionals and business leaders together to help founders build the structures, systems and capabilities required for sustainable growth. The organisation officially launched its 2026 SME Accelerator on September 19 at The Good House, Lagos. The eight-week programme selected more than 40 businesses from over 550 applications, bringing together entrepreneurs from 14 Nigerian states. The Accelerator focuses on five critical areas of business development: People & Leadership, Legal & Governance, Marketing & Brand Visibility, Sales & Market Growth, and Finance & Capital Readiness. Its faculty comprises professionals with experience spanning corporate strategy, human resources, governance, financial management and marketing. They include Lolia Kienka, Goodness Armstrong, Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa, Florence Damilola Olatunbosun and Victo...

      By James Moel Today, we look and understudy a great personality in the business world Mballou Fofana, the Philadelphia-based entrepreneur behind Le Mandingue African Restaurant, is expanding her African food business as she moves to take the brand’s products into households across the United States. The planned expansion comes as Fofana continues to build on business interests that include hospitality and real estate, with her property portfolio reportedly valued at about $15 million. Fofana’s rise in business followed a life-changing experience in 1998 when she lost one of her legs in an accident. Rather than allowing the setback to halt her ambitions, she continued to pursue opportunities in the United States, eventually establishing herself as an entrepreneur in the hospitality and property sectors. Her Le Mandingue African Restaurant has operated in the Philadelphia area for more than two decades, serving West African dishes to customers while providing a platfo...

   Kudiwave Technologies Limited has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, over the alleged transfer and continued withholding of N750 million from its PalmPay account. The company, through its solicitor, Tony Eseigbe & Co., in a petition dated September 14, 2026, is seeking an independent and forensic investigation into the circumstances surrounding the movement of the funds by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos. Kudiwave also challenged allegations linking the money to an alleged “round-tripping” transaction involving funds purportedly originating from United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA). According to the company, the N750 million was received from Nexall Technologies Limited as part of a legitimate commercial transaction in exchange for digital assets. Kudiwave alleged that the SFU, however, linked the funds in its PalmPay account to money purportedly originating from UBA and subsequently moving through several companies. How the N750m Transact...

    From modest beginnings as an estate agent to building a growing real-estate and lifestyle group, David Iji’s journey has been shaped by resilience, relationships and an enduring belief in long-term value. DAVID IJI: Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer Carter Group Starting from the Ground Up David Iji’s story is not one of inherited access or overnight success. It is the story of nearly two decades spent understanding property, building relationships, earning the confidence of clients and gradually progressing from brokerage into acquisitions, portfolio management, development and enterprise leadership. Today, he serves as the Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Carter Group, providing strategic leadership across a growing real-estate and lifestyle platform. David began his real-estate career in 2008 as an estate agent, sourcing residential properties for rentals and sales. His career began under modest circumstances. At one point, without a formal office, h...

New Report reaching us is that the dispute involving PalmPay Limited and KudiWave Technologies Limited, with media organisations that reported developments in the matter said to have received messages from PalmPay warning of possible arrest and demanding the removal of published stories. The warnings followed media coverage of two major developments in the dispute. The first concerned the movement of N750,369,439.04 from KudiWave’s account by PalmPay. The second involved PalmPay’s reported position that KudiWave’s address and the ownership of the account were unknown, a claim KudiWave later challenged with documents and evidence of previous dealings between both companies. One of the major pieces of evidence presented by KudiWave was a PalmPay correspondence dated July 28, which expressly identified KudiWave Technologies Limited and Account No. 8889232516. In the same letter, PalmPay asked the Nigeria Police Force to transfer N750,369,439.04, which it described as standing in a designa...

By Ganiyu Fatith  BrainChess Academy has announced a strategic partnership with Vetrinox Capital as the Official Headline Sponsor and Partner of the 2026 Schools Chess Championship edition. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people through education, strategic thinking, healthy competition, and personal development. Commenting on the partnership, the CEO of Vetrinox Capital said: "Chess teaches children to think ahead and understand that every move has consequences. Those are good lessons to learn early. We are pleased to support BrainChess Academy and the championship." Scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Vetrinox Capital BrainChess Schools Chess Championship will bring together 200 primary schools, more than 1,000 student players, and over 1,500 attendees from across Africa. The championship provides young learners with a platform to develop critical skills including critical thinking, problem-so...

By Biola Akinyemi Foundation IJEBU-IGBO, OGUN STATE — More than 400 residents from Atikori, Ojowo, Omen, Osun and Oke Agbo in Ijebu North received free medical care during a two-day outreach organised by the Biola Akinyemi Foundation on August 28 and 29, 2026. Held at the Local Government Hall in Ijebu-Igbo, the third medical outreach brought together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, eye-care professionals and volunteers to provide screening, consultations, health education, medication and eye-care support. The central location was chosen to extend access beyond Idokan, where the Foundation had previously held its outreaches. A day before the programme, on August 27, representatives of the Obas of the five communities met with the medical team, with support from Ijebu North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Omobolaji Oluwaseun Odunsanya, to discuss community healthcare needs and ways to support the programme. A community-focused committee was also formed to sustain ...

Lagos-based rapper and singer Blaxk Savage has released his latest EP, MIRROR, a five-track project that offers listeners a deeper look into his experiences, struggles, ambitions and personal growth. Released in July, the project continues the artist’s commitment to using music as a platform for honest storytelling. From his early releases to his latest work, Blaxk Savage has continued to build his identity around music that reflects real-life experiences and emotions. MIRROR represents a more introspective chapter in that journey. The title reflects the idea of looking inward and confronting different versions of oneself, including the struggles, mistakes, sacrifices, ambitions and dreams that shape a person’s identity. The EP begins with INTERLUDE, which sets the tone for the reflective journey that follows. It leads into MAN IN THE MIRROR, a track centred on self-examination, personal development and the process of understanding who he has become. The project then moves into RACK$, ...

Top  Nigerian payment and logistics super app platform joins Temu's courier network to strengthen e-commerce fulfillment for Nigerian buyers and businesses. Kwikpik , Nigeria's smart payment wallet and logistics super app , has been approved as a last-mile courier partner on Temu, the world's fastest-growing e-commerce marketplace. Nigerian buyers on Temu can now expect to see Kwikpik as a last-mile delivery partner for their Temu orders. Users will be able to track their Temu packages in real-time, with guaranteed last-mile deliveries to homes and businesses across Nigeria. The partnership marks a significant step in Kwikpik's vision to empower communities through sustainable commerce, while cementing Temu's commitment to building a reliable local logistics infrastructure to support its rapid expansion into the Nigerian market. What the Integration Means for Nigerian Buyers As of today, Temu shoppers in Nigeria can now expect to see Kwikpik as a possible last-mile ...

 Joseph Osagie is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, musician, actor and visual creator building a creative career across music, filmmaking, visual effects and digital art. Driven by a passion for storytelling, experimentation and creative expression, Osagie is developing an artistic identity that extends beyond conventional social media content. His ambition is to create original films, music and visual experiences capable of connecting African creativity with audiences both at home and around the world. At the heart of his creative journey is a simple philosophy: “Talent is a skill anyone can develop."The belief reflects his commitment to continuous learning and his willingness to explore different areas of the creative industry. Rather than limiting himself to a single discipline, Osagie continues to develop his skills across music, acting, filmmaking and visual production. His multidisciplinary approach allows him to explore storytelling from different perspective...

  Nigerian fintech company, 1app Technologies Inc., has been recognised for its contributions to regulatory innovation and financial inclusion at the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. "1 app showcased its financial solutions to participants and stakeholders at the Reg Tech Africa conference and Expo 2026" The conference, themed “Building Trust, Infrastructure and Policy for a Borderless Africa,brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology companies, investors and other industry stakeholders to examine the future of Africa’s digital economy and financial ecosystem. 1app participated in the conference as an exhibitor, where it showcased its growing range of financial solutions aimed at improving access to affordable, secure and borderless financial services for individuals and businesses across Africa. Among the solutions demonstrated were services that enable users to acces...

 In today's startup insight, we look at how nigerian brand Adambay Kitchen Equipment is making impact in 2026   As you would expect, businesses that depend on commercial machinery, purchasing the right equipment is only one part of establishing an efficient production operation. The quality of the equipment, its suitability for daily use and the reliability of the supplier can all influence how effectively a bakery, restaurant or food processing business operates. Against this backdrop, Adambay Kitchen Equipment has continued to strengthen its position as a supplier of commercial and industrial equipment to businesses operating across the food production and hospitality sectors. Founded by Adam Musa Muhammed, the company is located at 19 Olojo Drive, Ojo, along Alaba International Market in Lagos, and has operated in the equipment supply business for about 10 years. Over the years, the company said it has focused on supplying machinery designed to meet the practical requiremen...

  Florens Kairos Digitals, a full-service digital marketing agency, has pushed for a more integrated approach to digital marketing, saying businesses stand a better chance of improving customer acquisition when their online channels are built around the same commercial objective. The company said the approach responds to a common challenge among businesses that invest in several digital activities but manage them separately, leaving gaps between attracting attention, communicating value and converting interested audiences into customers. Rather than viewing search visibility, websites and customer communication as independent efforts, Florens Kairos Digitals is advocating a structure in which each channel performs a specific role within the same acquisition process. Founded by Udeoha Franklin and officially launched in 2026, the agency provides Search Engine Optimization, social media and email marketing, web design and conversion optimisation, alongside copywriting and content mar...

 Nigerian top Nollywood actress who double as the founder of Queeneth Agbor (Strength Beyond Walls) Foundation, Queeneth Agbor, has been honoured with an Award of Appreciation by the Nigerian Correctional Service, Zone A Headquarters, Lagos, for her commitment to the rehabilitation of inmates and positive impact on their lives. The award, according to the Service, recognises Agbor’s sustained support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society. Agbor, who has continued to use her foundation to advocate for hope, empowerment and rehabilitation within correctional facilities, described the recognition as an encouragement to do more for people who need support and a second chance. She said, “I am deeply grateful to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Zone A Headquarters, for this recognition. It means a lot to me because the work we do through Strength Beyond Walls Foundation is driven by the belief that every individual dese...

 By Temitope Segun Jongbo , Founder Globiqo A growing generation of African entrepreneurs is increasingly turning everyday personal challenges into ideas for businesses and technology solutions, with Nigerian entrepreneur Temi among those building around a problem he experienced firsthand. For Temi, the challenge was finding events and building community while living abroad. What started as a personal frustration eventually inspired Globiqo, a platform designed to make it easier for people to discover events and connect with communities. His journey reflects an emerging approach to entrepreneurship in which founders identify problems they personally understand and explore how technology can provide practical solutions. The problem behind the idea Unlike entrepreneurs who begin with extensive market research or a business plan, founders building from personal experience often start with a problem they have encountered themselves. Temi experienced the difficulty of being an internati...

    The streets of Manhattan came alive with the vibrant rhythms of Africa last Friday, August 14, 2026, as Nigerian highlife powerhouse Chinedu Okoli, globally renowned as Flavour, headlined a sold-out edition of the LOUD IN AFRICA Concert Series at Racket NYC. The highly anticipated event lived up to its billing, drawing a massive, enthusiastic crowd from across the African diaspora, music lovers, and international culture enthusiasts for an unforgettable night of music, dance, and heritage. From the moment the doors opened at 431 West 16th Street, the venue buzzed with high energy. Flavour, true to his title as the "King of Highlife," took the stage and treated the audience to a masterclass in live performance. Blending his signature highlife melodies with contemporary Afrobeats and rich traditional instrumentation, he doled out back-to-back crowd favorites, keeping fans on their feet singing along word-for-word. The night was further elevated by a stellar lineup of suppor...

 Fast rising star  Top US-based Nigerian artiste Babatunde Ogunseinde, popularly known as Babatunde140, has released a new Afro-fusion single titled “Bá Mi Jó (Dance With Me),” a vibrant track that explores attraction, confidence, individuality and the freedom to embrace personal preferences. The song, whose Yoruba title translates to “Dance With Me,” blends infectious African rhythms with soulful melodies and an engaging groove, creating a sound designed to inspire listeners to let loose and enjoy the moment. According to the artiste, “Bá Mi Jó” is more than a dance record, as it celebrates self-confidence and encourages people to embrace what they consider beautiful while expressing themselves without restraint. “Bá Mi Jó is about confidence, individuality and being free to embrace what you find beautiful. It is an invitation to let go, move freely and enjoy love, attraction, culture and good vibes,” Babatunde140 said. The track reflects the growing fusion of contemporary Af...

   Professional marketing capability in Nigeria has, for years, come in one of two forms: expensive or amateur. Agencies price their work for companies that can absorb ₦500,000 or more per project and wait two to three weeks for delivery. Free tools produce results that read exactly like what they are: software built for hobbyists, not businesses trying to close sales. Most startups, entrepreneurs and SMEs sit stuck between the two, too established for amateur output to hold up, too early-stage for agency pricing to make sense. FrontOffice has launched to close that gap.       The Problem More than 95 percent of Nigerian SMEs fail within their first five years, and ineffective marketing is consistently named as one of the leading reasons, according to industry research on Nigeria's digital marketing landscape. Nigeria now has over 100 million people online, researching, comparing and buying, according to DataReportal's most recent figures. The customers are ther...