At the Port Harcourt auditions of Next Afrobeats Star, hopefuls stepped onto the stage not just to perform, but to be seen by a platform that understands their dreams. At the heart of that platform is MTN Nigeria.

Contestants praised MTN’s role in shaping their journeys. Fadda, a local singer aiming for the Lagos finals, said: “Everybody sees what MTN is doing with talent shows. Nobody else is doing it at this scale. They are investing in us and giving us a chance to shine.”

Gift from Okrika expressed gratitude to MTN, Ultima Studios and ONErpm for creating a structured opportunity where young voices can be heard. “This is a great opportunity, and I know every one of us here will give our best,” she said.

The scale of the competition highlights MTN’s ambition. The winner will receive a $100,000 ONErpm record deal, along with mentorship and production support from leading producers including Sarz, P.Priime, Puffy Tee and Andre Vibez.

Contestants advance through multiple stages, starting with online submissions and regional auditions, followed by a versus round, an original song challenge and a live top-12 showcase. Each step offers exposure and professional development that are often out of reach for many young Nigerians.

MTN’s investment comes at a time when Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry is expanding rapidly. The sector was valued at US$9 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to US$13.6 billion by 2028, according to PwC.

Jobberman estimates that the industry already employs over 4.2 million people and is expected to add another 2.7 million jobs by 2026–2027.

Afrobeats has been a major driver of this growth. Nigerian music exports have grown by 49 per cent in the past three years, according to BusinessDay. Streaming platforms such as Spotify report significant increases in royalties, with Nigerian content enjoying a surge in both local and international consumption.

By launching Next Afrobeats Star, MTN is reinforcing its identity as more than a technology company. It is positioning itself as a key player in talent development and cultural promotion, helping to take Afrobeats from a local passion to a global phenomenon. Through this initiative, MTN is connecting young Nigerians not just to networks, but to their own futures.

Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, yesterday unveiled its plans to directly improve the lives of 10 million people across the continent by 2030. The strategy will be delivered through targeted initiatives under four core pillars namely Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection and Digital Inclusion (FEED).

Outlining the ambitious target, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, stated, “Our 2030 vision is a transformed Africa where over 10 million lives are directly improved through our interventions. We are not just donating resources, we are building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind. This is a strategic, measurable commitment to unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend.”

The Foundation’s mission will be executed by creating a cycle of empowerment through targeted programmes. These include ‘Connecting Schools’, which provides free connectivity and devices, and the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship’, offering full undergraduate scholarships in tech and STEM fields, complemented by mentorship and internships.

A key early success underscoring the Foundation’s impact is its ongoing partnership with UNICEF. This collaboration has already connected more than 1,800 schools, benefitted over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across the Foundation’s 14 markets of operation.

In addition, the Foundation will leverage its dedicated Employee Volunteer Programme, channelling the skills and passion of its people directly into community initiatives. For the 2025/26 financial year, the Foundation has set specific expansion targets, with programmes now active across all its operating countries, from Nigeria to Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Commenting on the company’s support for the Foundation, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said, “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born. It is our vehicle to catalyse transformation, by systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society.

“We have remained dedicated to transforming lives both as a business imperative as well as our overarching philosophy. For us, helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked and enabling businesses and economies to thrive are the three most significant objectives of our business.”

FXTM, a leading global online trading firm, has launched FXTM Edge, a mobile-first trading platform designed to make forex and commodity trading more accessible to Nigerian traders.

The platform, unveiled at a media roundtable in Lagos, aims to simplify trading by addressing common barriers such as high entry costs, technical complexity and lack of structured learning support.

Adaeze Uzochukwu, Specialist, Education and Media at FXTM, said FXTM Edge was developed with the Nigerian market in mind, combining affordability, accessibility and education in one package.

“Many Nigerians are interested in trading but are held back by complexity, high costs or lack of experience,” she said. “FXTM Edge was built to remove those barriers and give everyone a chance to participate in global markets confidently.”

With a minimum deposit requirement of $50, compared to the previous $200, the platform lowers the entry threshold for Nigerians looking to trade. It also allows micro-lot trading, enabling users to start small and manage risk effectively

Uzochukwu said the platform offers a user-friendly interface, built-in educational resources and trade inspiration to help beginners build confidence step by step.

For experienced traders, FXTM Edge delivers competitive spreads starting from 1.2, a reward system that covers both lots and units traded, and the option to test strategies at lower cost.

She added that the mobile-first design reflects the growing reliance on smartphones for financial activities in Nigeria, offering speed, convenience and flexibility to traders on the move.

“Trading should not be intimidating. With Edge, beginners can start small, learn with the right support and gradually grow at their own pace,” she said.

Backed by FXTM’s global reputation for reliability and expertise, the new platform is expected to encourage broader participation of Nigerians in global financial markets