Broadcasting
Are Audio Streaming Platforms in Your Marketing Mix? They Should be

By Mark Redguard, Audio & Mobile Partner Director, Ad Dynamo by Aleph
Walk down the streets of any major city around the world and take a look at all the people you pass along the way. Chances are you’ll see more people wearing earphones and headphones, in all of their shapes and sizes, than not. Most of those people, whether they’re consuming music or podcasts, will be listening through an audio streaming platform.

Mark Redguard, Audio & Mobile Partner Director, Ad Dynamo by Aleph
In fact, Spotify’s 500 million-plus users spent more than 132 billion hours streaming audio on the platform in 2022. And that’s just Spotify. Factor in other platforms, including the likes of Mdundo and Audiomack, and the numbers become truly astronomical. Africa isn’t immune to the embrace of music streaming either. According to Statista, music streaming revenue is set to grow more than nine percent a year over the next four years, aided by constantly improving levels of connectivity.
That growth in audio streaming across the continent doesn’t just represent an opportunity for artists and streaming platforms. It’s also a powerful opportunity for brands to market to their customers in new, innovative, and effective ways.
Reach, elevated engagement, and personalisation
Before looking at how brands can make use of those opportunities, it’s worth looking at some of the advantages that marketing on audio streaming platforms offers.
One of the biggest advantages that advertising on audio streaming platforms offers is that it allows advertisers to reach their customers wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. Unlike traditional radio, which is largely restricted to people’s homes and vehicles, people can listen to audio streaming when they’re commuting on public transport, working out, or even just going for a walk. Given the growing importance of meeting customers where they are, that’s a powerful incentive to embrace marketing through audio streaming all on its own.
But ads on audio streaming platforms can also be more engaging. There are fewer screen-related distractions (especially if the listener is doing something that doesn’t allow them to scroll on their device at the same time), and audio also feeds the listener’s imagination. In fact, research from shows found that “digital audio listeners have an elevated listening experience compared to broadcast radio, resulting in more memorability, engagement, and emotional intensity.”
Adding to this increased engagement is the fact that audio-streaming ads can be highly personalised according to the listener’s interests. That can then be further refined by age and location, ensuring that people only hear the adverts that are most relevant to them.
Sounding out the right partner
It should be clear then that audio streaming platforms have a lot to offer from an advertising perspective and can be a powerful addition to any company’s marketing mix. But if you’re going to get the most out of adding audio-streaming ads to your mix, it’s important to do so with the right partner.
Ideally, you should look to work with a partner who has extensive experience working with the streaming platforms most relevant to your target customers. Moreover, they should be able to help you produce the most effective marketing content tailored to those platforms.
For whichever platform you’re advertising on, that also means having an innate understanding of all the available ad formats. These include audio ads but may also extend to things like video takeovers, sponsored sessions, and display ads. Remember, while audio is the largest component of any streaming platform, people still have to open the app and scroll to get to the content they want. Implemented effectively, all of these formats can be brought together to ensure your marketing messaging is delivered to maximum effect.
For the love of listening
Right now, audio-streaming services play an incredibly important role in day-to-day media consumption around the world, including in Africa. And as connectivity becomes ever more ubiquitous and affordable, that role will only increase. As such, any business wanting to really meet its customers where they are should embrace the marketing opportunities that they present.
Broadcasting
Navigating the Maze: Solutions for Nigeria’s Flourishing Foodtech Industry

By Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer, Foodstuff Store
Nigeria’s foodtech sector holds immense promise to transform our nation’s food production, distribution, and consumption systems.
However, this burgeoning industry currently navigates a complex maze of challenges that could significantly hinder its progress. While innovation and entrepreneurial drive are abundant, a confluence of infrastructural deficits, economic headwinds, technological disparities, and logistical complexities casts a shadow on the sector’s long-term viability.
Understanding and addressing these multifaceted hurdles is paramount for foodtech companies aspiring to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security.
One of the most significant impediments to the foodtech sector’s advancement is Nigeria’s persistent infrastructural weaknesses.
The unreliable power supply, a well-known constraint for businesses nationwide, directly threatens food preservation, increasing spoilage risks and driving up operational costs for companies reliant on refrigeration and consistent processing.
Similarly, the often-deteriorated state of our road networks complicates logistics and transportation, hindering the efficient movement of goods from farms to consumers and across the supply chain.
Furthermore, limited access to clean water exacerbates operational challenges, particularly for maintaining food processing and hygiene standards. Collectively, these infrastructural shortcomings inflate operational expenses and introduce vulnerabilities throughout the food supply chain.
Economic constraints add another layer of intricacy. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates create instability in pricing and procurement, especially for businesses dealing with imported technologies or ingredients. Persistent inflation erodes consumer purchasing power and increases the cost of essential inputs, squeezing profit margins for startups.
Moreover, limited access to credit and investment capital makes it difficult for emerging foodtech companies to secure the necessary funding to invest in crucial technology, infrastructure, and expansion efforts.
This financial constraint can stifle innovation and prevent promising ventures from reaching their full potential.
The digital divide also poses a unique challenge for foodtech companies aiming to leverage online platforms and digital solutions. While mobile phone usage is widespread in Nigeria, disparities in digital literacy and access to reliable internet connectivity can restrict the widespread adoption of online food ordering and delivery services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
This necessitates creative and inclusive strategies to bridge the digital gap and reach a broader consumer base.
Inefficiencies within the supply chain represent a critical bottleneck in the Nigerian food system. Fragmented agricultural supply chains, characterised by numerous intermediaries and a lack of transparency, contribute to alarmingly high post-harvest losses.
Inadequate storage facilities and inefficient transportation infrastructure further compound these issues, leading to significant waste and price volatility.
Addressing these systemic weaknesses is crucial for ensuring a stable and affordable food supply for all Nigerians.
Navigating Nigeria’s regulatory landscape can also be a daunting task for foodtech businesses. The presence of multiple regulatory agencies, coupled with often bureaucratic and time-consuming processes for obtaining licenses and permits, can create significant hurdles for startups. Clear, consistent, and streamlined processes within the regulatory framework are essential to foster a more enabling environment for innovation and growth.
Building consumer trust and acceptance for new food technologies requires overcoming inherent skepticism and unfamiliarity. Concerns regarding food safety, quality, and the security of online transactions can hinder the adoption of novel food products and digital platforms.
Transparent communication, robust quality control measures, and consistent consumer engagement are vital for building confidence and fostering widespread acceptance.
Finally, a notable talent gap exists within the Nigerian foodtech ecosystem.
A shortage of professionals possessing specialised skills in food science, technology, business management, and logistics can limit the growth and innovation capacity of companies in this sector. Addressing this skills deficit through targeted training and development initiatives is crucial for long-term success.
Despite these significant challenges, promising pathways forward can be forged through innovative and context-specific approaches. Investing in localised infrastructure solutions, such as independent power generation and efficient localised logistics networks, can mitigate the impact of broader infrastructural deficiencies.
Exploring diverse funding avenues beyond traditional banking, including angel investors, government grants, crowdfunding, and revenue-based financing, can alleviate financial constraints.
Adapting to the digital divide by leveraging basic mobile technology and employing offline strategies like local agent networks can expand reach and inclusivity.
Building resilient supply chains through direct farmer relationships, investing in aggregation centres, and utilising technology for farm management offer tangible solutions to logistical inefficiencies.
Proactive engagement with regulatory bodies and advocating for clearer, more supportive policies are crucial for navigating the regulatory landscape effectively. Building consumer trust necessitates transparent sourcing practices, clear communication about product benefits and safety, and active engagement with consumer feedback.
Finally, investing in talent development through collaborations with educational institutions and in-house training programs can bridge the critical skills gap.
Foodstuff Store is emerging as a business with a clear vision to directly confront several of these challenges. We are actively developing a decentralised network of businesses supported by strategically located distribution hubs across target states.
This approach will directly address the limitations imposed by poor road networks, ensuring more localised access to our food products.
Furthermore, the establishment of regional storage facilities, including a state-of-the-art solar-powered cold storage, directly tackles infrastructural deficiencies related to food preservation and ensuring a consistent supply.
Foodstuff Store’s ambition for end-to-end management of the food supply chain, encompassing in-house production, direct sourcing, advanced storage solutions, and efficient distribution, offers a powerful solution to existing supply chain inefficiencies.
This integrated approach promises enhanced quality control, significant reductions in post-harvest losses, and a more reliable supply of both perishable and non-perishable goods for our customers.
Our aspiration to become the “Amazon for Food Products” is a clear and ambitious goal underpinned by a technology-driven approach to all aspects of our operational management.
Foodstuff Store’s vision underscores a business model strategically designed to overcome significant hurdles within the Nigerian foodtech sector, offering a beacon of potential and a pathway to a more secure and efficient food system in a challenging yet remarkably promising landscape.
Broadcasting
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors

TVC News has broken new ground in Nigeria’s media space with the launch of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters.
Rolled out in May 2025, the AI anchors will deliver news bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to technological advancement and linguistic inclusion.
The initiative is designed to enhance news delivery by supporting human journalists, not replacing them.
TVC Communications, the parent company of TVC News, described the development as a milestone in its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism.
“We are thrilled to pioneer this innovation in Nigeria’s media industry,” said Victoria Ajayi, chief executive officer, TVC Communications.
“Our AI news anchors represent a new era in news reporting, and this move underscores our dedication to using technology as a tool for growth and progress.”
Ajayi clarified that the AI-generated content will undergo thorough editorial review.
“Trained journalists and editors will assess every output to ensure it meets our standards of accuracy, balance, and credibility,” she noted.
In response to concerns about the potential misuse of AI, the organisation said it had established rigorous editorial safeguards, including watermarking and verification protocols. It also reaffirmed its adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and journalistic ethics.
With this launch, TVC News has become a trailblazer in AI-assisted journalism in Africa, setting a bold example for future media innovation across the continent.
Broadcasting
FXTM Academy Hosts Charity Cycling Event, Pedal for Progress

FXTM Academy recently hosted the Pedal for Progress charity cycling event, bringing together 200 participants from cities across Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
Held on Saturday, April 19, the competition featured six race categories—Professional Male, Professional Female, Junior Male, Junior Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female—allowing cyclists of all skill levels to compete.
The race began at 8:00 a.m., with Juniors completing 10 laps, Veterans tackling 14 laps, and Professionals racing 20 laps, each lap spanning 2.8 kilometers.
Participants competed for significant cash prizes, with winners in the Professional categories receiving ₦800,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, while those finishing 5th to 15th place earned ₦50,000 each. Junior and Veteran winners also received substantial rewards.
Spectators and participants praised FXTM Academy for fostering unity, sportsmanship, and talent development, with many eagerly anticipating future events.
The academy emphasized its commitment to empowering communities and promoting values such as perseverance, discipline, endurance, and continuous improvement.
FXTM Academy’s Country Representative, Kelechi Ehibudu, highlighted the academy’s dedication to blending sport, charity, and empowerment, setting a new benchmark for community-focused initiatives in Nigeria.
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