Nigeria’s crypto startups say SEC’s ₦2bn capital rule is a “disproportionate burden”
Nigerian crypto startup operators have said the increased minimum capital requirements, introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 16, will place a “disproportionate burden” on early-stage startups. In a position paper submitted to the SEC, the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), an advocacy group comprising startups such as Dantown, Roqqu, and Breet, asked the SEC to review and refine the hiked capital thresholds for virtual asset companies. The increased capital requirements require Digital Asset Exchanges (DAXs) and Digital Asset Custodians to maintain a minimum of ₦2 billion ($1.4 million) in their operating coffers, up from ₦500 million ($351,000). Other categories of digital asset operators were also assigned higher thresholds under the revised framework. “While we recognise the policy’s intent to strengthen market integrity, investor protection, and systemic resilience, we respectfully submit that the current framework requires refinement to balance regulatory rigour with innovation sustainability,” the group said in the paper signed by its president, Barr. Mela Claude Ake. SiBAN said that while the SEC’s tougher capital rules are intended to strengthen oversight and protect investors, the blanket ₦2 billion ($1.4 million) threshold risks squeezing out early-stage blockchain startups that lack deep funding but pose far lower systemic risk for larger, well-funded companies. This could narrow Nigeria’s virtual assets market to only a few players who can afford the cost of operating well-oiled, compliant businesses. At the centre of its proposal is an alternative capital threshold system. The association recommends a tiered model with three levels: an “Innovation Track” requiring between ₦50 million ($37,300) and ₦200 million ($149,200) for startups and pilot-stage platforms; a “Growth Track” of ₦200 million–₦500 million ($149,200–$351,000) for expanding operators; and an “Institutional Track” of ₦500 million ($351,000) and above for established platforms subject to full regulatory supervision. The group says this structure would align capital obligations more closely with operational scale and risk exposure. SiBAN is also requesting an extended implementation timeline through 2028, proposing 12 months for tiered classification and transition planning, followed by an additional 18 months for capital formation and structural compliance. Under the current framework, affected entities are required to meet revised capital thresholds by June 30, 2027. It also proposed the creation of a Digital Asset Regulatory Working Group, a monitoring, review, and consultation body, comprising SEC officials, SiBAN representatives, independent subject matter experts, and other regulators, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The aim would be to “ensure continuous feedback loops, rapid problem-solving, and adaptive policy refinement” as the market evolves. The paper also outlines alternative compliance pathways for smaller innovators and startups that may not immediately meet standalone capital requirements. These include mergers and acquisitions (M&As) for smaller players to explore and meet the capital requirements; accelerator and incubator partnerships that allow startups to operate under the regulatory cover of licenced firms; white-label arrangements that let technology providers offer backend services without holding customer funds; and venture studio models that centralise compliance and governance standards across multiple startups. SiBAN maintains that higher capital requirements could strengthen governance and encourage integration with traditional finance through venture capital engagement and strategic partnerships. However, it warns that without structural refinements, the thresholds may favour well-capitalised incumbents and foreign exchanges over domestic startups. The SEC director general, Dr Emomotimi Agama, told CNBC’s Closing Bell in a January 16 interview that it raised capital requirements to strengthen resilience and ensure firms operating in the capital market and Nigeria’s newly legalised digital asset sector have adequate financial buffers to protect investors. The regulator now faces the task of balancing that objective with concerns from industry participants about market entry barriers in a sector that remains in active development.
Read MoreNigeria to conduct “thorough assessment” of MTN’s $2.2 billion IHS deal
Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will review MTN Group’s proposed $2.2 billion acquisition of IHS Towers, a landmark deal that would hand Africa’s largest mobile operator full control of one of the continent’s most extensive tower portfolios. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Bosun Tijani said the Ministry would undertake a “thorough assessment” of the transaction in collaboration with relevant regulators, citing the strategic importance of telecoms infrastructure to national security, financial services, and economic growth. “Our objective is clear: to ensure that any market consolidation or structural changes protect consumers, safeguard investments, and preserve the long-term sustainability of the sector,” he said. The ministry’s intervention underscores how sensitive infrastructure consolidation has become in Nigeria’s fragile but recovering telecoms market. After years of currency volatility, rising tower lease costs, and debt pressures that strained operators and tower companies alike, regulators are now balancing investor confidence with competition, consumer protection, and national interest. Earlier on Tuesday, MTN confirmed it had agreed to acquire all outstanding shares in IHS that it does not already own at $8.50 per share, valuing the company at approximately $6.2 billion. MTN currently owns about 24.7% of IHS and intends to increase its stake to 100% through a cash merger that would take the tower company private. The transaction would consolidate control of nearly 29,000 telecom towers across Africa, tightening MTN’s grip on the physical infrastructure that underpins its network operations in Nigeria, its largest market. MTN said it plans to fund the $2.2 billion acquisition using roughly $1.1 billion in cash on IHS’s balance sheet, alongside available liquidity and new debt at the group level. The deal marks one of the most consequential infrastructure shifts in Nigeria’s telecoms sector in over a decade. For years, operators spun off tower assets to firms like IHS to reduce capital expenditure and focus on customer growth. Reversing that model signals a strategic rethink as profitability pressures reshape the industry. IHS Towers provides services for other telecom operators, including Airtel, the second-largest mobile network operator in Nigeria. A successful acquisition would not only hand over the tower company’s assets, but it would also give MTN an advantage over its competitors in the Nigerian market. MTN already takes 52% share of the market in Nigeria, with Airtel trailing at 33.94% share of the market. MTN has also entered into infrastructure-sharing deals that allow competitors like Airtel and T2 Mobile ride on its infrastructure in areas where they are unable to reach customers. Over the past two years, Nigeria’s telecom operators have faced mounting financial pressure from naira devaluation and dollar-denominated tower lease obligations. MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa both reported steep foreign exchange losses in 2023 before returning to improved profitability in recent results, aided by tariff adjustments and cost restructuring. For IHS, Nigeria remains its largest market, but one weighed down by currency headwinds and high power costs. Any acquisition would therefore represent not just a corporate buyout, but a structural shift in how telecom infrastructure is financed, owned, and managed in Africa’s biggest telecoms economy.
Read MoreMTN moves to take full control of IHS Towers in $2.2 billion deal
MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom operator, is moving to take full ownership of IHS Towers in a $2.2 billion deal that would consolidate control of nearly 29,000 telecom towers across Africa and mark a major strategic shift for the continent’s largest mobile network operator. IHS Towers accepted an offer of $8.50 per share in a transaction that would increase MTN’s stake to 100% and result in IHS being taken private, MTN noted in a statement on Tuesday shared with TechCabal. The proposed deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, as well as the delisting of IHS from the New York Stock Exchange. MTN owns approximately 24.7% of IHS and intends to acquire all outstanding shares it does not already hold through a cash merger. The deal values the IHS at approximately $6.2 billion, the company said in a separate statement. The proposed acquisition marks a notable reversal of MTN’s earlier infrastructure strategy. Like many telecom operators over the past decade, MTN had separated its tower assets to unlock capital and reduce capital intensity. Now, the group is seeking to reintegrate those assets, internalising tower lease margins it currently pays to IHS and capturing future third-party revenue growth directly. Shares of IHS dropped to $8.16 on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, after the announcement was made. The $8.50 per share offer in the MTN deal represents a 9.7% premium to IHS’s 30-day volume-weighted average price as of 4 February 2026, the last trading day before MTN released its cautionary announcement. For shareholders, the transaction provides an opportunity to make profits at a premium, particularly at a time when global tower valuations have faced pressure from higher interest rates and currency volatility in emerging markets. The deal follows IHS’s announced disposals of its Latin American assets earlier in February 2026. Upon completion of those transactions, MTN intends to acquire 100% of IHS’s remaining business, primarily focused on Africa. IHS is one of the world’s largest independent tower companies, with nearly 29,000 high-quality towers serving multiple mobile network operators in five key MTN markets. “This proposed transaction is a pivotal step in further strengthening MTN Group’s strategic and financial position for a future where digital infrastructure will become ever more essential to Africa’s growth and development,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita. He described the deal as a “unique opportunity” to buy back MTN’s towers and strengthen its ability to partner with governments across its markets. MTN plans to fund the $2.2 billion acquisition using approximately $1.1 billion in cash on IHS’s balance sheet, alongside available liquidity and debt at the group level. The company stated that no new equity issuance would be required, although the funding structure, it noted, may lead to a short-term increase in leverage. MTN expects the transaction to be earnings-positive to both net income and cash flow. Long-term IHS shareholder Wendel has provided a letter of support, committing to vote in favour of the transaction, and will receive full liquidity upon closing. With Wendel’s backing and MTN’s own voting rights, around 40% of the required two-thirds shareholder approval has effectively been secured. “The proposed transaction deepens our long-standing partnership with MTN as it combines Africa’s largest mobile network operator with one of its largest digital infrastructure platforms and underscores the strong connection between IHS Towers and the African continent,” IHS Chairman and CEO, Sam Dawish, said. If approved, the transaction would create the largest integrated tower platform in Africa under MTN’s control. Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include IHS’ valuation based on the deal.
Read MoreNELFUND disbursement explained: What students should know in 2026
The Nigerian government introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2023 to expand access to tertiary education and reduce financial pressure on students and their sponsors. The fund was established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2023, later revised in 2024 to clarify eligibility and repayment terms, and formally created NELFUND as the agency responsible for managing and disbursing student loans to qualified Nigerians in public higher institutions. The fund covers two major components: institutional charges and student upkeep. Institutional charges are paid directly to the school, while upkeep support is paid into the student’s personal bank account. So far, the scheme has disbursed ₦184 billion ($136.18 million) to 1.5 million students across 265 institutions. As the 2025/2026 academic cycle reaches its peak, more than 2 million Nigerian higher education students are seeking clarity on payment timelines and repayment terms. This guide breaks down the latest updates from NELFUND to help applicants navigate the portal and secure their academic loans. What to know about the NELFUND disbursement for 2026 Disbursement of student loans for the 2025/2026 academic session is currently ongoing. Applications opened in October 2025 and were initially scheduled to close in January 2026. However, this deadline was moved to February 27, 2026, to give students more time to complete their application. Approved loans are being released in batches; the fund scheme disclosed in February 2026 that it disbursed almost ₦400 million ($295,000) in student loans to Delta State University, Abraka. NELFUND typically aims to disburse funds within 30 days of receiving an approved application. However, the timeline for payment depends on how quickly institutions confirm student enrollment and upload fee details. Once verification is complete and approval is granted, institutional fees are paid directly to schools, while upkeep allowances are transferred to students. If an application still shows as pending, it may mean that verification or internal processing is still in progress. Are you qualified to apply for NELFUND? The scheme is currently available to Nigerian students who are studying or desire to study in federal higher institutions, including public universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, or vocational schools in Nigeria. Students can apply for the loan in each academic cycle, and repayment begins two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Loan amounts are not fixed because tuition varies across schools. The amount covered under institutional charges depends on the official fee structure submitted and verified by each institution. Students may also apply for upkeep support of up to ₦20,000 ($14.79) monthly to assist with living expenses during the academic session. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events Next wave Entering Tech Subscribe The NELFUND application process To apply, students must register on the official NELFUND portal and create an account before completing their profile. To create an account: Open the NELFUND application portal Confirm your citizenship Verify your student status by inputting your institution and matriculation number Verify your JAMB status by providing your JAMB registration number and date of birth If your National Identification Number (NIN) is not linked to your JAMB profile, you will need to provide it for verification A code will be sent to the email address provided to verify the account, and then your account will be created Complete your profile by providing your contact details, including a valid phone number, a residential address, your State of residence, and your State of Origin. Then you would provide your account details, and your account will be created. To apply for the loan: On the portal’s dashboard, select ‘Loan’ If you wish to apply for the upkeep loan of ₦20,000 ($14.79) monthly, select it You then upload your admission letter (mandatory) and your student ID card Then you will be directed to a page where you will see the total loan amount, and then submit your application Applications for NELFUND’s 2025/2026 disbursement cycle are open until the end of the month, as the scheme continues to expand its reach to ensure no student is left behind. While applying, it is important for accurate documentation and information to be submitted to ensure funds are disbursed in time.
Read MoreNELFUND loan pending? What students should do if they haven’t received payment
If your Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) application is still showing pending, you are not alone. Since the rollout of the student loan scheme in 2024, many applicants across federal and state institutions have reported delays between application, approval, and actual disbursement. Here’s what is happening and what students should do if payment has yet to arrive: Why is your NELFUND loan still pending? A pending status does not automatically mean your application has been rejected. In most cases, it indicates your loan is still within the verification or processing stage. There are three common reasons this occurs. 1. Incomplete institutional verification Before funds are released, your institution must verify your student status and confirm your tuition details with NELFUND. If your school has not completed this step, your application cannot move forward. This is often the biggest bottleneck in the process. Even if you submitted your application early, payment will not be processed until your institution confirms your details. 2. Approval does not mean instant payment Some students see an “approved” status on their dashboard and expect immediate disbursement. However, approval is only one stage of the process. After approval, payments still go through reconciliation between NELFUND, institutions, and financial partners. This creates a gap between approval and when the funds reflect either in your school’s account for tuition or in your personal account for upkeep. 3. Incorrect or incomplete bank details For students receiving upkeep allowances, incorrect bank information can cause delays. If your banking details do not match the records submitted during your application, disbursement may be paused until corrections are made. What students should do if they haven’t received payment 1. Check your dashboard carefully Log in to the official portal and confirm your current status. Whether it reads pending, verified, or approved, avoid submitting a second application for the same academic session. Duplicate entries can complicate your record and slow down processing. 2. Review your information Confirm that your matriculation number, Institution name, course of study and Bank details match exactly what your institution has on file. Even minor inconsistencies can trigger delays. 3. Contact your school directly Reach out to your institution’s bursary, registry, or ICT unit to confirm whether your details have been verified and uploaded correctly to NELFUND. If verification has not been completed on the institution’s end, no payment can proceed. 4. Use official support channels If your loan shows an approved status for an extended period without disbursement, file a complaint through the official NELFUND support channel. Include your application ID and relevant details. Avoid middlemen or unofficial agents. The process is handled directly between the applicant, the institution, and NELFUND. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events Next wave Entering Tech Subscribe What if you already paid your tuition? Some students paid their school fees out of pocket while waiting for disbursement. In such cases, institutions are expected to reconcile payments once NELFUND releases the funds. Keep your payment receipts and confirm with your bursary department whether your name is listed among the beneficiaries. Ask about the refund or adjustment process in your school. Documentation will be important in this situation. The bottom line A pending NELFUND status usually signals a processing gap, not a failed application. In most cases, the delay sits at the institutional verification stage or within post-approval reconciliation. Students who take the following three deliberate steps tend to resolve issues faster: Confirm their application details are accurate. Follow up directly with their institution’s bursary or ICT unit. Escalate through official NELFUND support if approval has stalled without payment. The system is still evolving, and administrative bottlenecks are part of that reality. What matters is knowing where the delay is likely coming from and responding strategically rather than reactively. Clarity, documentation, and consistent follow-up usually make the difference between waiting indefinitely and getting answers.
Read More“I had no assumptions. I was just building:” Day 1-1000 of Selar
In 2025, Selar, an e-commerce startup that helps creators sell products, paid out over ₦18 billion ($12.8 million) to its African users. While the numbers might look good in isolation, the added context that this came within a decade of the startup’s launch and is almost double 2024’s ₦9 billion ($6.6 million) in payouts shows how far the bootstrapped startup has come. Like many African startups, reaching these milestones was far from straightforward. Douglas Kendyson, the company’s founder and CEO, told TechCabal that when he launched the business, he had no fixed blueprint for what it would become. Instead, constant user feedback shaped the startup’s direction and evolution. “When I started Selar in 2016, I did not have a grand thesis about the market. I didn’t sit down and write out, “Creators will do X, and customers will do Y, and therefore we’ll win,” he said. “The best thing about those early days was that I was not boxed in by what I thought the market “should” be. I was just building something I wanted to exist and then improving it based on what people told me,” he added. The first 100 days: “Wait, users, don’t just show up?” Selar’s first customer did not come from Nigeria. They came from France. The very first user Kendyson set up was his friend after he released an extended playlist (EP) of songs, and after a little convincing from Kennedy, he listed it on Selar. “Guy, come. Put it on Selar. Let people support you,” Kendyson told his friend. At the time, the logic was that people would have listened to his music anyway, but with Selar, they could back him financially. “That was the first ‘sale’ strategy I understood. People don’t just want to consume; they want to support,” Kendyson said. But after successfully bringing in his friend, reality hit fast. “Where are the rest of the people? Who is going to bring them?” he thought to himself within the first 100 days of Selar. At the start, all Selar employees were engineers. While they were good at shipping products, nobody was responsible for distribution. Nobody owned growth. According to Kennedy, one of the first brutal lessons in the first 100 days was that sales and marketing are not vibes. “People do not just come because you built something,” he said. He tried everything he could. He turned other friends into customers. He built a community. But by the third year, the problem was still there despite Kendyson’s efforts at building and doing outreach, hoping people would find Selar. “I cared about users, but my default setting was to keep refining, keep improving, and keep shipping. Then surely everything will click. That’s a very engineer-like way to think,” Kendyson said. Cheap hires and expensive lessons Selar’s first hires were cheap, but they taught Kendyson an expensive lesson. In early 2020, he hired two social media employees to post content for Selar and paid them ₦20,000 ($52) each. He thought that with two junior people, things would improve, and they would figure it out. Then in January 2021, he hired his first engineer, a junior developer, largely to keep costs down. He assumed that because he could write code himself, managing and supervising the hire would be straightforward. He quickly learned otherwise. Before the year ran out, Kendyson had learnt the real price of hiring juniors too early. “When you hire too junior across key roles, you pay with your time,” he said. He spent too much time iterating, reviewing, rewriting, and giving feedback. “It becomes a loop. You save money, but you lose weeks. And your time is not free, especially as a founder.” He knew he had to find a balance. Even though it was difficult, he increased his budget and fired the junior employees. “The alternative was me drowning in oversight,” Kendyson said. The rebirth of Selar started in Dubai Kennedy attributed one of the biggest shifts for Selar to a job that had nothing to do with the startup. In 2018, he moved to Dubai and worked as a growth and software engineer at Sarwa, a fintech company, where he worked closely with the marketing team. Watching how marketing actually works when people take it seriously and how positioning, distribution, partnerships, and repetition compound changed how he built his startup. By 2020, he left the company to apply what he learnt from his time in Dubai. He describes that period as the rebirth of Selar because it was when things began to feel real: “We were finally learning how to move beyond ‘we built something’ to ‘people are actually using it,” he said. One of the main ways Selar tried to solve the customer problem was through social media and cold outreach. At first, Kendyson was messaging people he knew personally. Expectedly, he could not find scale using this method and realised that if he wanted strangers to find him, he needed a distribution method that scaled. “We leaned into cold DMs, more consistent social content, and eventually accepted that ads might be necessary,” he said. The early milestones The milestones Kendyson cared about most in the beginning were revenue milestones. Only cold, hard cash could impress him, and the same still runs true today. The first big milestone was ₦100 million ($74,000) in sales in 2020. While he was happy, he was also in disbelief. Then the next obsession became ₦1 billion ($740,000). Even as Selar hit these milestones, Kennedy could not calm down. “They gave me the most anxiety I’ve ever felt because digital products can be inconsistent,” he said. A creator could have an impressive launch this month, but their sales plummet by next month. This unpredictability seeped into Selar’s business model and affected the startup’s revenue strength. “So even as we grew, I kept thinking. Can I repeat this? Is this sustainable? Are there enough creators? Are there enough launches?” From 2020 to 2024, he carried ‘insane’ anxiety. The more successful Selar got, the
Read MoreDigital Nomads: Africa enters the golden passport market as the world tightens rules
On the storm-scarred hillside of Roseau Valley, Dominica, the tiny Caribbean island nation, a passport is funding a geothermal plant for clean energy. In Basseterre, St. Kitts, it once funded 60–70% of government revenue. In Valletta, Malta, it helped topple a prime minister: Joseph Muscat resigned in December 2019 amid revelations linked to the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, an investigative journalist killed while probing golden passport corruption. In São Tomé, fewer than 100 applications in four months have already sparked a new African frontier in the global market for citizenship. This is the “business of belonging.” The global citizenship-by-investment (CBI) industry, per MarketIntelo, a research firm, was valued at $5.2 billion in 2024, with analysts projecting it to hit $12.8 billion by 2033. While the data is scant, conservative estimates suggest that globally, at least 10,000 people apply yearly for second citizenships through Investment. The investment migration industry is now a multi‑billion‑dollar business, with global programmes collectively raising over $20 billion as of 2022, and fuelling large volumes of real estate investment for sovereign countries. For the 40 million people globally who now identify as digital nomads, including 18.5 million Americans, mobility has become an asset class. But mobility is no longer just about visas. It is about sovereignty and whether citizenship itself has become a tradable financial instrument. The question is no longer whether passports can be sold. It is whether selling them strengthens or weakens the countries that do. How citizenship became a revenue line Modern citizenship-by-investment began in 1984, when St. Kitts and Nevis launched the first structured programme one year after independence. For two decades, it remained virtually dormant, with the country issuing only a few hundred passports. The industry became scalable around 2006, when the model was streamlined into a three-to-six-month process: applicants choose between a government donation or an approved real estate investment. That template spread across the Caribbean: Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia all followed. Beyond the islands, several other countries spotted the opportunity that investment migration programmes offered as an alternative—or buffer—to tourism, especially for countries that received fewer visitors each year, but were strategically placed near attractive global hubs. In 2007, Cyprus launched the first European Union (EU) programme, and Malta followed suit in 2014. Türkiye entered in 2018, slashing its price to $250,000; it quickly became the world’s most popular golden passport programme. After raising prices, a $400,000 minimum property investment in Türkiye now guarantees citizenship within three to eight months, provided investors keep their investment in place for at least 3 years. Türkiye offers visa-free access to roughly 140–150 countries, including the Schengen Area and the UK, increasing its appeal. Small island developing states battered by hurricanes, tourism shocks, and the 2008 financial crisis saw these investment-based migration programmes as a much-needed gambit. By fiscal year 2022/23, citizenship revenue accounted for 36.6% of Dominica’s gross domestic product (GDP). St. Kitts and Nevis’ revenue reached EC$620 million ($229 million) in 2023, up from EC$543 million ($200.9 million) in 2021. That same year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) credited accumulated citizenship savings with helping St. Kitts reduce public debt below 60% of GDP and cushion the pandemic shock. Following the popularity and boom of second passports—for the security and relocation possibilities they provided—post-pandemic, it was evident that citizenship had become an asset that countries could sell. But scale introduced fragility—and backlash. The cost of the passport trade The IMF’s January 2025 working paper found that citizenship-by-investment programmes raise annual real house price growth by 1.7–2.9 percentage points in countries that permit real estate investment, with effects persisting for over a decade. Yet outside small island states, the IMF found no significant boost to aggregate domestic investment or long-term public revenue. The programmes deliver cash quickly, yet they do not automatically deliver structural transformation. They also attract scrutiny. In 2020, Cyprus shut its programme, which generated over €7 billion ($8.3 billion) in revenue, after an Al Jazeera investigation exposed passports issued to oligarchs and fugitives; 77 investors were later stripped of citizenship. In April 2025, the EU Court of Justice ruled Malta’s programme violated EU law, declaring that nationality “cannot be commercialised” because it confers Union citizenship. Malta was the last EU member state operating such a scheme. The pressure cascaded. In June 2025, an internal US State Department memo flagged 36 countries, including five Caribbean citizenship jurisdictions, for potential travel restrictions. By January 2026, immigrant visa processing had been suspended for 75 countries, including 10 citizenship-by-investment states, such as Antigua and Barbuda. For the Caribbean, the reckoning arrived in real time. After coordinated EU, UK, and US pressure, four Eastern Caribbean programmes signed a memorandum in 2024 raising minimum thresholds to $200,000 and above. A treaty also mandated a 30-day physical presence requirement within the first five years, a move that stripped nomads, foreign expatriates, and wealthy investors of the zero-residency model that defined the Caribbean golden passport industry for years. St. Kitts provides the starkest case study of what reform costs. Revenue fell 60% in the first nine months of 2024 to $80.7 million after the country doubled its investment floor and tightened screening. The IMF projected that citizenship income would remain structurally lower and warned that the fiscal deficit would widen to 11% of GDP. Diplomatically, golden passports caused a dilemma, especially for Caribbean countries that increasingly embraced them: tighten scrutiny standards to protect visa-free access to global hubs and shrink revenue. Or keep them loose and risk losing access altogether. Vanuatu learned the hard way when the EU permanently revoked its visa-free privileges in December 2024, the first such action ever triggered explicitly by a citizenship programme. The lessons from the multiple episodes in the soul-searching world of diplomatic relations and travel revealed one truth: passport value is not sovereign. It is relational and depends on whether other countries accept the standards that countries set. Africa enters a closing market Now, Africa is entering the investment migration industry at precisely this inflection point.
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Top phones to surprise your partner this Valentine’s Day
Table of contents For photography lovers For business professionals For content creators For style-conscious partners For affordable premium seekers For everyday users For gamers and multitaskers For budget buyers Last Valentine’s Day, someone close to me spent hours choosing between perfumes, flowers, and chocolates. Months later, many of those gifts were already forgotten, but the phone their partner bought was still in daily use. That moment shows how gift choices have changed. People now prefer items that remain useful long after the celebration ends. Ahead of this year’s Valentine’s Day, we have compiled a list of the best smartphones you can gift your partner, using verified pricing from Slot and Pointek and checking availability across Nigeria and South Africa. The list also highlights key features, such as AI-powered photo tools and real-time language translation, that make modern phones valuable in daily life. For photography lovers These phones are designed for people who love taking high-quality photos and preserving special moments. 1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Image source: GSMArena Official on YouTube The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is one of the top premium phones you can gift your partner in 2026. It combines luxury design with powerful performance and the advanced Apple Intelligence suite. If your partner loves photography, the triple 48MP camera system with an improved telephoto lens captures romantic moments in very sharp detail. The “Cosmic Orange” colour also stands out and looks striking in natural lighting, while the A19 Pro chip delivers strong performance and battery life that often lasts more than a full day of heavy use. Why buy it for your partner Premium performance powered by the A19 Pro chip Triple 48MP camera system for high-quality photos and videos Stylish Cosmic Orange colour that stands out Long battery life suitable for travel and busy workdays Market price International price for the 256GB model starts at $1,199.12 Nigeria (February 2026): 256GB: approximately ₦2,565,000 512GB: approximately ₦2,889,000 2TB: up to ₦3,940,000. Where to buy Online retailers: Several online platforms stock both devices and offer nationwide delivery. Jumia Nigeria Konga Select Gadgets Physical stores and authorized resellers iStore and Mac Center (Apple-authorized resellers) Slot and Pointek branches nationwide 2. Xiaomi 17 Ultra Image source: Marques Brownlee on YouTube The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is designed for partners who love mobile photography. It features a Leica-tuned camera system and a large 1-inch sensor for strong low-light performance. Why buy it for your partner Leica-tuned camera for high-quality photos Powerful Snapdragon processors for performance High-capacity battery with fast wireless charging Premium build, including ceramic or vegan leather finishes Market price Approximately ₦1,900,000 (excluding VAT) in Nigeria. Where to buy Online retailers: Several online platforms stock both devices and offer nationwide delivery. Jumia Nigeria Select Gadgets Mypadistore Jiji Nigeria Physical stores and authorized resellers Xiaomi brand stores and partner retail outlets Slot and Pointek branches nationwide For business professionals These devices are ideal for partners who rely on their phones for work, planning, and multitasking. 3. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Image source: TT Technology on YouTube The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a strong choice if you want to gift your partner one of the newest Android flagship devices in 2026. The phone was announced on February 25 with pre-orders available before its typical March release. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, giving smooth performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The refined S Pen offers lower latency and improved AI handwriting recognition, while 60W wired charging speeds up charging compared to the earlier 45W standard. Why buy it for your partner Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for high performance Improved S Pen with better AI handwriting recognition 60W wired charging for faster charging Ideal for creatives, executives, and heavy mobile users Market price Expected global starting price for 256GB model: $1,299.24 Nigeria pre-order estimate: starting from approximately ₦2,300,000, subject to regional adjustments. Where to buy Official Samsung Website (Africa): Available for pre-registration and pre-order through Samsung’s official online store. Slot Systems Limited: Expected to stock the device after the official release; currently listed in their search catalog, indicating future availability. Konga: Likely to stock the device once it officially launches, similar to other Samsung flagship releases. 4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Image source: GSMArena Official on YouTube The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is ideal if your partner enjoys both productivity and entertainment on a single device. It folds from a phone into a 7.6-inch tablet, allowing multitasking, such as running video calls while taking notes or browsing. The model also improves durability and reduces weight for easier daily use. Why buy it for your partner Foldable design that expands into a 7.6-inch display Multitasking features for work and entertainment Note Assist and Sketch to Image AI tools Improved durability and lighter body Market price 1TB model at Slot: approximately ₦3,328,000. Valentine promotion: 256GB variant advertised at ₦2,012,837. Where to buy: Konga Jiji Nigeria Physical stores and authorized resellers Samsung Experience Stores: Available across major malls and high streets for genuine devices and in-store assistance. Slot Systems Limited: Multiple branches across Lagos, including Ikeja. For content creators These phones offer powerful cameras and editing tools for creators and active social media users. 5. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Image source: GSMArena Official on YouTube The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a great option if you want a flagship phone that is already widely available. It features a 200MP main camera that delivers strong zoom and low-light photography, helping your partner capture memorable moments clearly. The phone also pairs with Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch8 for health tracking, and its Titanium build, available in colours such as Titanium Silverblue and Titanium Jadegreen, gives it a premium feel. The 6.9-inch AMOLED display includes an anti-glare coating that improves visibility under bright sunlight. Why buy it for your partner 200MP camera for detailed photos and clean zoom Works with Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch8 for health tracking Premium Titanium design with unique colour options 6.9-inch AMOLED
Read MoreFrom love to loss: Top Valentine’s Day online scams and how to avoid them
The weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day bring heightened feelings of love, connection, and hope. Every year, more people turn to dating apps and social media platforms in search of companionship during this period. However, the rise in online interaction also creates opportunities for fraud, as scammers exploit increased shopping, gifting, and dating activity to steal money and personal data. Law enforcement agencies across Africa say these scams are no longer isolated incidents but part of organised digital crime networks. In 2025, an INTERPOL-led operation spanning 14 African countries led to the arrest of 260 suspected cybercriminals linked to romance scams and so-called “sextortion” schemes carried out through social media and online platforms. Investigators identified more than 1,400 victims across countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and Angola, with estimated financial losses of nearly $2.8 million. The figures highlight how emotionally driven scams are increasingly enabled as more people come online. Below are some of the most common technology-driven Valentine’s scams reported across Africa and how users can reduce their risk. 1. Fake profiles using stolen or AI-generated photos In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, scammers often create fake profiles across dating platforms and social media to exploit people looking for romance. Using stolen or AI-generated photos, they appear attractive and trustworthy, then quickly build emotional connections with compliments and personal stories. In 2025, Meta said it deleted over 100,000 accounts from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte D’Ivoire, Benin, Kenya, and Cameroon linked to coordinated romance scam networks, showing how organised these operations are. After grooming victims, scammers introduce crises or opportunities that require money or sensitive information, such as medical emergencies or Valentine’s gifts. AI tools now let them generate realistic photos, fake video calls, and cloned voices, making deception harder to spot. To avoid being a victim, verify online partners through reverse image searches on photos, checking for inconsistencies, and keeping conversations on official platforms. Never share personal details or send money to someone you haven’t met in person or verified their authenticity, no matter how urgent their request. Get The Best African Tech Newsletters In Your Inbox Select your country Nigeria Ghana Kenya South Africa Egypt Morocco Tunisia Algeria Libya Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Chad Cameroon Gabon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia Lesotho Eswatini Mozambique Madagascar Mauritius Seychelles Comoros Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau Senegal The Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso Mali Niger Benin Togo Other Select your gender Male Female Others TC Daily TC Events TC Scoop Subscribe 2. Fake Valentine’s Day deals In the past few days, have you noticed different companies popping up in your mailbox, blowing up your social media feeds, and grabbing your attention with ads promising heavily discounted prices on Valentine’s Day gifts like flowers, chocolates, and tech gadgets? You click a link, and roses that normally cost ₦20,000 ($14.75) are going for ₦5,000 ($3.69), with messages telling you to “grab yours before the offer ends.” Well, a lot of those deals might not be real. Scammers know people are pressured to buy Valentine’s gifts on a budget, so they set up fake e‑commerce sites or clone real online stores and social media shop pages to lure you in. You pay upfront, but the flowers never arrive, and the scammer disappears with your money. Here’s how to spot when a Valentine’s Day deal is sketchy before you hand over your hard‑earned money. First, pay attention to the website or shop you’re being sent to. Legit deals will have a proper web address that starts with https and a padlock in the browser bar — that’s a signal your info will be encrypted and safer to enter. Scammers love sites with weird URLs, poor design, or no contact details; those are classic signs you might be dealing with a fake shop. Also, watch out for ads or emails that pressure you to act right now or claim there’s “only a few left” at that price; that urgency is often used to get you to click without thinking. Another red flag is how you’re asked to pay. Experts recommend using secure payment methods that offer fraud protection instead of using crypto; Once scammers have your money from those, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. Try to stick to well‑known online stores or verified sellers. If you’re unsure about an offer, type the company’s name directly into your browser and shop from their official site instead of clicking links in ads or messages. Finally, if something looks too good to be true, trust that instinct; more often than not, it really isn’t a real offer. 3. Valentine’s Day giveaway scams Giveaway scams are all over social media this time of year. Scammers pretend that major telecom or e-commerce platforms are giving away 50GB of data or special Valentine’s Day prizes. They tell you to click a link and share it to five or 10 groups, and once your “sharing” is done, the site will turn green, and your prize is ready to claim. Victims are often asked to fill out forms with personal details or pay small “processing” or delivery fees. The goal? Steal your data or collect money. To stay safe, always verify giveaways on the brand’s official social media pages or website. Real promotions don’t ask winners to pay fees, and you shouldn’t have to spam links to unlock a prize. 4. Fake dating app subscription and verification scams Fake dating app subscription and verification scams pop up a lot as Valentine’s Day approaches. Scammers send links claiming you can get discounted premium subscriptions or verify your account on popular dating apps. The links look real, but they redirect you to fake payment pages designed to steal your data. The safest way to avoid this? Only upgrade subscriptions or verify your account through the official dating app or its verified website. Ignore any promotional links sent through
Read MorePayd taps Noah for stablecoin-powered payments for African freelancers
Payd, a Kenyan-born pan-African fintech startup, has partnered with UK-based payments infrastructure provider, Noah, to enable its users to receive international payments using stablecoins instead of traditional bank rails. For many African remote workers, getting paid is still the hardest part of the job. Freelancers and contractors working for US and European companies routinely lose up to 10% of their income on platforms like Upwork to lifting fees, FX spreads, and intermediary bank charges. SWIFT transfers can take several business days to clear. Through the partnership, initially rolling out to over 30,000 Payd users in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Senegal, customers can now generate virtual USD and EUR accounts within the app, complete with US routing numbers and European international bank account numbers (IBANs), allowing them to receive payments like a local in the US or Europe. Foreign employers pay them via an Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), like a local transfer. Behind the scenes, Noah converts those funds into stablecoins, such as the USD Coin (USDC) or Tether (USDT), and settles them into customers’ Payd wallets in real-time. Instead of waiting days and losing value along the way, users receive digital dollars almost instantly. They can hold those balances to hedge against local currency volatility, spend online, or withdraw to mobile money platforms like M-PESA, Wave, or Orange Money within minutes. This isn’t Noah’s first Africa-focused partnership. In January, the company announced a similar integration with pan-African fintech NALA, signalling a strategy to power African fintechs serving remote workers who earn in foreign currencies without operating directly on the continent. This partnership-led approach is central to Noah’s model. Rather than acting as a consumer-facing app for African remote workers and freelancers, Noah provides the regulated backend infrastructure: virtual account issuance (USD and EUR), compliant collection rails (ACH and SEPA), stablecoin conversion, settlement, and payout application programming interfaces (APIs). It replaces slow correspondent banking chains with programmable, real-time settlement infrastructure that fintechs, such as Payd, can plug into. African startups can offer dollar-native accounts and faster global payments without securing their own cross-border banking licences or building complex treasury operations from scratch. The timing for Noah is also strategic. Freelance and remote work in Africa has grown by over 55% since 2020; more professionals are earning in foreign currencies while living in volatile local economies. Spotting the opportunity, fintechs are turning to stablecoins as a workaround to dollar accessibility challenges and sluggish banking infrastructure that frustrate workers.
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