E-Business
Digital Ad Payments can be Complex, but They Don’t Have to Be

By Stephen Newton, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Aleph Group Inc.
While paying for digital advertising placements has gotten a lot simpler in recent years, it can still be complex. Anyone wanting to run a digital campaign, for example, has to know which pricing model (for example, Cost Per Click (CPC), Cost Per Mille/Thousand Impressions (CPM), Cost Per Action (CPA), and more) each platform uses, how to use the auction system, and ensure that they can make cross-border payments in the currency required.

Stephen Newton, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ad Dynamo by Aleph
It’s a lot for one person, or even a dedicated ad-buying team to keep track of. But this complexity can also make it difficult for companies that are entering the digital ad space for the first time to get full value out of their online marketing efforts. That’s no small thing either. After all, if you’re a business owner, you want to meet your customers where they are. And with Africans spending an increasing amount of time online (South Africa actually leads the world on this metric), that means having a presence on the biggest digital platforms and, more particularly, the ones most relevant to your business.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. Advances in a number of fields mean that digital ad payments can be much simpler than has historically been the case.
Understanding complexities
Before looking at what those advances entail and allow for, it’s important to understand some of the factors behind ad payment complexity.
In addition to the wide variety of pricing models mentioned above, a significant part of the issue is the sheer number of platforms that offer advertising products. Each of those platforms has its own payment systems, pricing models, and rules. Advertisers often need to work with multiple platforms to reach their target audiences effectively.
Many digital ads are also placed through real-time auctions where advertisers bid for ad placements in milliseconds. Advertisers (or, more typically, their media buying partners) need to make rapid decisions about bids and budgets to secure desired placements. Another, related issue is that ad prices can fluctuate based on demand, user behaviour, and other factors. Advertisers need to adapt and optimise their budgets accordingly.
Additionally, digital advertising operates across international boundaries, involving different currencies, tax regulations, and payment methods. Advertisers must manage these complexities when running global campaigns.
These are, of course, other factors that add to the complexity of digital ad payments, but the ones listed above go some way to illustrating how advertisers might miss out on getting full impact from their marketing efforts. That’s not only to the detriment of the advertisers but also to the advertising platforms themselves, who end up missing out on valuable revenue from dissatisfied customers.
Taking a new approach
In other words, there’s a lot to be gained from making ad payments simpler. Whether you are a native digital advertiser based in Africa aiming to reach consumers in the US, who need hassle-free credit in local currency, or an ad tech platform aiming to offer your services, your experience should be as straight-forward as possible.
That’s part of the reason we’ve launched Aleph Payments. It’s a straight-forward cross-border credit and payment offering which allows eligible advertisers in 130 markets a line of credit for advertising. Once accepted, the advertiser pays Aleph invoices in local currencies, settling exchange and taxes, and allowing all of this to simplify commercial operations for digital ad-tech players.
Ideally, the more of this kind of simplicity we see in the sector, the more we can anticipate the expansion of the digital ecosystem in emerging economies such as Africa. That’s because simplicity leads to enhanced accessibility and creates an ecosystem that’s more user-friendly for everyone to navigate.
Less complexity benefits everyone
Ideally, the more of this kind of simplicity we see in business, the more growth we’ll see in the US$800 billion digital ecosystem in emerging economies. Because simplicity equates to better accessibility and a simpler ecosystem for everyone to function in.
E-Business
CAC to Prosecute Business Owners Operating Without Registration

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing business registration laws in Nigeria, warning that individuals and organizations operating unregistered businesses will face prosecution.
In a statement, the CAC emphasized that conducting business without proper registration violates the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, undermining transparency and accountability in the corporate sector.
The commission stressed that registration is not only a legal requirement but also a gateway to formal business opportunities, including access to bank loans, government grants, and partnerships.
The enforcement drive will be nationwide, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), online vendors, and informal traders who have failed to comply despite previous awareness campaigns and registration amnesty windows.
The CAC disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with security agencies, will be deployed to identify and prosecute defaulters.
The commission urged business owners to take advantage of its simplified registration platform to regularize their status, noting that compliance will boost investor confidence and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business. It warned that ignorance of the law will not be accepted as an excuse.
Business owners are advised to act promptly to avoid legal consequences, as the CAC moves to ensure a more structured and regulated business environment in Nigeria.
E-Business
NCC Vows to Tackle Online Infringement, Block Illegal Music Websites

Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has pledged to enforce its legal obligations to combat online intellectual property infringement and urged commercial music users to obtain proper licences from rights holders or their representatives.
The Commission stated that this ensures creators are fairly compensated, supporting the music industry’s sustainable growth.
In a statement commemorating the 2025 World Intellectual Property Day, themed “IP and Music: Feel the Best of IP,” the NCC announced plans to enforce the Copyright Act 2022, which allows for the takedown of infringing materials and blocking of websites hosting illegal content.
Signed by Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, director of Public Affairs, the statement outlined an aggressive anti-piracy campaign in collaboration with the private sector, targeting the online environment.
Egbunike affirmed the NCC’s commitment to establishing enforceable standards for transparency, digital audits, and real-time royalty reporting to protect creators’ rights. She stated, “The NCC will continue to champion policies that support the growth of the music industry, improve the livelihoods of Nigerian musicians, and foster a culture of creativity and respect for intellectual property.”
Despite the global success of Afrobeats and other Nigerian genres, the NCC noted that many musicians face low royalty returns due to rampant digital piracy.
To address this, the Commission revised its Collective Management Regulations to enhance transparency and accountability among Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).
The NCC emphasised that proper licensing is a legal obligation and vital for Nigeria’s creative economy, stating, “Music must feel the beat of intellectual property for the full potential of creativity to be realised.”
The Commission highlighted that creators’ livelihoods depend on fair royalty compensation.
Recent enforcement measures include the NCC’s designation by the Attorney-General of the Federation as an authority under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022.
This, combined with the Copyright Act 2022, empowers the NCC to order takedowns and block illegal music distribution websites.
E-Business
FG Warns Nigerians Against Growing Threat of Cyber Slavery in West Africa

The Federal Government, has warned Nigerians against the growing threat of cyber slavery within the West African sub-region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued in Abuja by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson, noted with grave concern the alarming rise of cyber slavery across parts of West Africa, targeting Nigerian citizens, particularly vulnerable youths.
The government said many young Nigerians, including underage teenagers, were lured out of the country under the false promise of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, particularly in crypto-related operations.
According to the government, “In reality, these individuals are trafficked into sophisticated scam operations and enslaved to work in criminal “call centres” — often referred to as “419 cyber-scam factories.” There, they are forced under coercive and inhumane conditions to send thousands of fraudulent emails, text messages, and calls aimed at defrauding victims worldwide.”
The government also noted with dismay, a recent incident where the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra, Ghana, rescued and detained a group of Nigerians forced to engage in cybercrime activities under inhumane conditions.
“This incident highlights the severe exploitation and abuse associated with cybercrime operations. It also underscores the need for enhanced efforts to combat such multibillion-dollar criminal networks and mitigate the susceptibility of victims.
“The Ministry strongly warns all Nigerians, especially the youths and parents, to exercise the utmost caution when presented with job offers, particularly those promising easy money, overseas travel, or remote work involving cryptocurrencies.
“Nigerians are therefore advised to verify all employment offers through official channels and report suspicious cases to relevant authorities for necessary investigation and action to curtail the activities of the perpetrators.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that, as a precautionary measure to address this unfortunate situation, the Federal Government is working closely with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to tackle this heinous crime, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.
“The Ministry remains committed to protecting Nigerian citizens at home and abroad and will continue to raise awareness about emerging threats to the welfare and dignity of our people,” the statement read.
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