Broadcasting
Cut Costs to Help Your Business
As price hikes continue to hit the economy, small business owners are fighting to keep their heads above water. Now, more than ever, it’s vital to cut unnecessary costs and examine all areas of a business to see where savings can be achieved. Overhead expenses, which take up a significant chunk of revenue, are an obvious place to start, but your most significant cost savings could come from making a series of smaller cuts and implementing innovative solutions.
1. Go paperless
The cost of paper and ink may seem insignificant, but it can add up to a big business expense over the course of a year. It’s a commonly recurring business cost that you can reduce by encouraging employees to be mindful of paper wastage and to stick to the following rules: Reuse waste paper for notes instead of throwing it away; set all work computers to print double-sided by default; print documents in a smaller font, and file important documents on your computer instead of in a portable file.
2. Flexible working arrangement
The cost involved in renting an office, coupled with furnishing and other daily and monthly overheads, is such an expensive affair, especially during these tough times. To help manage these costs, you may consider adopting a flexible working style where your team can either work remotely or in a hybrid model with frequent virtual meetings to keep the human interaction going. Using co-shared working spaces is another option where you only pay for the day that you need to be in an office environment. This way, you will not have to worry about office running costs as these spaces cater to all your office needs. Some even have an unlimited supply of coffee! Lastly, move to a smaller office and have your team come on a scheduled basis. For instance, have each department come in on a specific day of the week. This way, you get to maximise the small office efficiently.
3. Reconsider traditional services
A long-term contract for cleaning can result in expensive monthly bills and may not suit your small business’s needs. A cost-efficient alternative is to hire cleaners only when you need them to come in once or twice a week with pre-vetted, trustworthy cleaners.
Doing what you can to keep staff healthy makes good financial sense, too, as sick workers can slow down productivity. With August being Nigeria’s coldest month, Awazi Angbalaga, SweepSouth’s Country Manager, suggests a weekly clean of keyboards and desk phones to stop your office from becoming a germ-filled battleground. “Our hands and the surfaces we touch are the superhighways for germs, and because we touch our phones and keyboards so often, they top the list of the dirtiest items on our desks. A cleaner can wipe down frequently-touched objects with a disinfectant on a weekly basis to keep them clean,” she advises.
4. Leverage social media advertising
Truth be told, traditional advertising is so expensive that many small businesses can’t afford it. Paid social media advertising is much cheaper and will provide a savings opportunity, but if even that is too much for you to afford right now, you can build your company’s social media following organically on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. It is a much slower process, but it won’t cost you anything. You will also be able to authentically express your brand’s personality and build trust with your audience. The only cost will be your time, and a firm commitment to be regularly active and proactive on the accounts you’ve created.
5. Use freelancers and contractors for non-core work
Contracting out the jobs in your company that don’t require full-time employees can help cut overhead costs. Freelancers and interns are useful for one-off projects and non-core activities, such as data entry or document processing. They’re easier to hire and cheaper to employ, as you’re not expected to provide them with costly benefits like medical aid or leave. Make sure though, that you have proper contracts in place to set expectations and mitigate risks, for both parties. Bear in mind that freelancers may not share the same loyalty and passion for your business as full-time employees, so it makes for sound business practice to balance your staff complement by hiring a combination of both full-time employees and freelancers.
6. Switch off lights, machines and computers after hours
To help keep energy costs under control, make it a company policy to switch off air-conditioners, non-essentials lights, gadgets and equipment before staff head off home each day. Putting computer monitors into sleep mode will also cut down on unnecessary energy consumption and save money. If you run your business from a home office, make the switch to LED bulbs and opt for energy-efficient appliances to help reduce your monthly electricity costs. For a longer-term solution, consider a hybrid solar system that includes batteries for backup, while keeping a lifeline connection to the grid. This will make it possible to use essential appliances, such as a laptop and routers, in case of a power outage ; with minimal disruption to your business.
7. When in doubt, go without
If you’re struggling to allay costs, make it a practice to constantly ask: Do we really need to buy this? Do we really need to replace something? Think every purchase through instead of just spending the money on buying bigger and newer things. Even when times aren’t tough, it’s prudent to use what you already have until you are certain you need something new.
Cutting costs shouldn’t just be a periodic exercise to improve your bottom line. Good business practice dictates that you should regularly evaluate all operational expenditure. This will assist you in growing your bottom line and reducing the risk of cash-flow trouble in the future, as well as helping you become a more efficient business overall.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against Umar Bago, Niger State Governor, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over what they described as “the ongoing intimidation” of Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, and the threat to shut down the station.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, accusing NBC of failing to stand in defence of the local station.
PUNCH Online had reported that Bago ordered the closure and the revocation of the licence of Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM in Minna over alleged public incitement.
However, in suit number FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE are seeking to determine “whether by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from the ongoing intimidation from the governor.”
They are also seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Niger state governor and NBC from further harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence and profile the station’s owner.”
The groups argued, “The ongoing intimidation and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the station’s premises and profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.”
They described allegations of inciting violence against the station and its owner as “vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated and apparently made to silence the radio station.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part, “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.
“Intimidating, harassing and silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
“The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
SERAP and NGE are therefore asking the court for the following reliefs, “A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 22 Nigerian Constitution and section 2(1)(t) of the National Broadcasting Act, the NBC is obligated by law to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from undue interference from unauthorised persons or entity.
“A declaration that the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of the radio station against arbitrary executive interference constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria.
“A declaration that the ongoing intimidation and threat issued by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its operational licence and further threat to demolish the station’s premises is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.
“A declaration that the threat issued by the Bago to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its operational licence encroaches upon the statutory powers of the NBC as provided for under section 2 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and NBC, its agents and privies from harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to revoke the operating licence of Badeggi FM station or any other broadcasting outlet in Niger State.”
It was said that no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Spotify has named Ghanaian trailblazer Amaarae as the EQUAL Africa artist for August, spotlighting her as one of the continent’s artists who continues to push creative and cultural boundaries with every beat, lyric, and look.
Amaarae, born Ama Serwah Genfi, raised between Ghana and the U.S.A often pulls her musical inspiration from the cultures and genres she grew up with. She has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound and identity, with her unique fusion of alternative, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats cementing her place as a singular voice in modern music.
Her musical journey took a turn in a computer lab in Ghana in 2009, where she taught herself to make beats on a cracked version of FL Studio. That moment sparked the fire for a career that would go on to produce game-changing projects like “The Angel You Don’t Know” and global hits such as “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY”.
Amaarae’s inclusion on Spotify’s Global Impact List for the first half of the year, highlighting the most-exported Ghanaian songs, was no surprise. She has become a symbol of how African music is travelling further, faster, and louder than ever before.
With her latest album BLACK STAR she returns to her Ghanaian roots with bold energy, crafting what she calls a “rallying cry for youth culture around the world. This album is bringing the alternative community to the forefront and being fearless about that.”
“I navigate the music world with balance, willpower, and strength. The challenges are real, don’t get me wrong, but I put my blinders on, lock into tunnel vision, and get to work. And when I come across another woman on the journey, especially a Black woman, I do my best to share knowledge, create opportunities, and lighten the load where I can,” says Amaarae.
As part of Spotify’s EQUAL programme, which amplifies women’s voices worldwide, Amaarae joins a growing list of African women shaping the future through sound and self-expression.
“Amaarae embodies the spirit of boundary-pushing creativity that EQUAL stands for,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Her artistry is bold, distinct, and unapologetically authentic – qualities that continue to inspire a new generation of artists across the continent and beyond.”
We sat down with Amaarae to learn more about her and her music:
1. What is that one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?
Amaarae: I’m one step away from being legally blind! My vision is a -7 and I have astigmatism!!
2. When did you realise that making music was in your destiny and what is your WHY for pursuing this craft?
Amaarae: When I moved back home to Ghana in 2009, I was learning how to make beats and record myself at the back of the computer lab. Someone had installed a cracked version of FL.
3. Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?
Amaarae: The list goes on and on. Daddy LUMBA (RIP), Terri Bonchaka, MzBel, Abrewa Nana, Obrafour’s legendary album Pae Mu Ka, Sarkodie, Kwadwo Antwi. I could go all day.
4. To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?
Amaarae: Let’s encourage listeners to be curious and adventurous! If you’re reading this and you’ve never heard my music, I dare you to go listen! And tell me how YOU would describe my sound.
5. Any advice for someone dreading following their dreams?
Amaarae: The regret does more damage than the effort.
By Ursula Fear, Senior Talent Programme Manager | Salesforce
Is AI coming for your job, or is it already working beside you? As its use becomes more routine, artificial intelligence is looking less like a threat and more like a teammate: answering queries, making decisions, chasing leads, processing invoices, and drafting content around the clock.
Ursula Fear, Senior Talent Program Manager, Salesforce
This new class of digital labour is changing how teams function, how targets are met, and how people spend their time at work. From now on, almost every job, team, and company will involve AI agents – systems that can analyse vast datasets, apply human-like reasoning, and act independently. Their presence is set to influence workflows, increase productivity, support innovation, and redefine roles across the organisation.
Rather than replacing people, AI is tilting the workload. Salesforce research shows that 23% of HR teams plan to redeploy employees into roles that make better use of their uniquely human strengths. At the same time, agentic AI adoption is projected to surge by 327% over the next two years (from roughly 15% adoption today to about 64% by 2027).
This shift is tied to anticipated productivity gains of 30% per employee and labour cost reductions of 19%, equating to about $11,000 in savings per employee annually, based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) wage averages. Rather than replacing people, organisations are preparing to reskill and redeploy workers, enabling humans to focus on higher-value roles that emphasise creativity, strategy, and interpersonal skills.
A recent Gartner poll further found that 95% of customer service teams intend to retain human agents to help define and guide the role of AI, reinforcing the value of a “digital first, not digital only” approach. Gartner further says that by 2027, half of the organisations that planned to significantly reduce their customer service workforce will abandon those plans, highlighting the limits of going fully “agentless”.
For African countries, the rise of digital labour presents an opportunity to build modern, inclusive workforces without being bound by outdated development models. But realising this potential depends on sustained investment in skills training, digital infrastructure, and equitable access to AI tools.
Train for tomorrow
Africa has the world’s youngest population. It’s bursting with entrepreneurial energy. But many young people still don’t have access to the tools and skills that will define the next era of work. If the continent wants to lead in the digital labour revolution, it should act now by investing in digital infrastructure, prioritising skills development, and forging partnerships that make future-focused training widely accessible.
Yes, the skills gap is real and broadband internet is still a luxury in many communities. But on the upside, AI training doesn’t require a university degree. Much of it is free, online, and accessible to anyone with a smartphone and a curious mind.
That opens the door to governments, educators, businesses, and civil society to step up to update school curricula, expand digital infrastructure, and support public-private training partnerships. All of this matters: not just for economic growth, but for social inclusion, too.
If these foundations are put in place, African countries could not only meet the needs of their growing population but also leapfrog outdated development models.
From entry-level to in-demand
When AI begins to handle the simpler tasks, it’s easy to worry about what’s left for those starting out. Entry-level jobs aren’t disappearing though. Instead of doing routine work, newcomers will now need to build skills in oversight, collaboration, and using AI tools effectively from day one. The ladder still exists; it just starts in a different place.
This will require a different kind of training – not just technical know-how, but in soft skills like empathy, adaptability, ethical judgement, and communication, which are all human traits that help teams thrive.
AI’s presence in the workplace may be concerning, with reports of job cuts due to its adoption (here, here, here, and here), but all is not as it seems.
Research suggests a more balanced perspective: One of the most comprehensive studies, from the National Bureau of Economic Research, tracked 25,000 workers across 7,000 Danish firms using AI chatbots. It found no significant changes to jobs, wages, or working hours. Productivity rose by around 3%, without leading to layoffs.
The St. Louis Fed found something similar. Based on large-scale surveys in the US, researchers reported one in four workers now use generative AI weekly, saving on average just over two hours a week. Spread across the entire labour market, that translated into a 1.1% productivity gain. Crucially, there was no sign this efficiency came at the cost of jobs.
Adding to this, a 2024 study by Mäkelä and Stephany analysed over 12 million US job listings and revealed that demand is surging for “AI-complementary” skills such as resilience, teamwork, digital literacy, and analytical thinking. These are the very human capabilities that help people work effectively with AI. The study found AI-focused roles are nearly twice as likely to list these skills, and they command wage premiums of 5–10%. Even more telling: the positive impact of these complementary skills outweighs the substitution effects of AI by up to 70%.
These findings all suggest that AI isn’t replacing workers; it’s helping them work smarter and more efficiently. To thrive in this blended future, we need to prepare today, by building the right skills, expanding access, and embracing AI not as a threat, but as a partner in progress.
Because the future of work won’t be entirely human, nor entirely automated – it will be a blend of both.
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