E-Business
Microsoft Plans Metaverse Dominance with Activision Blizzard

Software giant, Microsoft is planning to dominate the metaverse with its move to acquire Activision Blizzard, a game development and interactive entertainment content publisher, in a mega deal.
This is according to market analyst firm GlobalData, after the US-headquartered software firm announced it will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash.
This transaction has become the biggest tech merger and acquisition deal in history.
In making the announcement, Microsoft said the acquisition “will provide building blocks for the metaverse”.
Rupantar Guha, principal analyst at GlobalData’s thematic team, says taking part in what is the biggest tech merger and acquisition to date reflects Microsoft’s desire to dominate the metaverse.
“The company is focused on acquiring both Activision’s communities and content – two essential parameters for success in the metaverse. Activision’s popular games franchises Call of Duty and Overwatch, and the communities it commands, will position Microsoft as a leader in the metaverse.”
The metaverse is a virtual reality (VR) space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.
According to Statista, as of October 2021, the total market capitalisation of Web 2.0 metaverse companies was $14.8 trillion.
It notes that for gaming and eSports and also Facebook (now known as Meta after an October 2021 restructuring and pivot to VR), this figure sits much lower at $1.98 trillion and $0.90 trillion, respectively.
Guha notes Microsoft is formidable competition for Meta, Epic Games, Tencent and Roblox, all of which are scrambling for dominance in this emerging mataverse theme.
“While the metaverse is still largely conceptual, Microsoft’s strength in underlying themes such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality and cloud computing give it a leadership position in this theme.”
He believes Activision’s games will help Microsoft create metaverse experiences and provide an established global consumer base to test and market them.
“Microsoft ranks second out of 44 companies in GlobalData’s gaming thematic sector scorecard, which ranks companies based on their leadership in the 10 themes that matter most to the gaming industry – generating a leading indicator of future performance. Microsoft is second only to Tencent, while Activision Blizzard ranks 13th on the scorecard.
“Following the acquisition, Microsoft will gain a dominant position in eSports, a growing theme where it has struggled to make a mark in the past. Additionally, Activision is a mobile gaming leader with plans to launch more mobile titles in the future. The takeover will strengthen Microsoft’s position in the mobile gaming market, which will be worth $272 billion by 2030, according to GlobalData forecasts.”
When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony, says the software firm.
E-Business
Tango Brook Technologies Partners with AfriGO on its Smart Fuel Management System – The Tango Fuel Card

Tango Brook Technologies and AfriGO have announced a strategic partnership aimed at redefining the way Nigerians buy fuel. Through this initiative, Tango Brook Technologies and AfriGO aim to make the use of the Tango Fuel Card – a smart fuel management system – a seamless experience at all fuel stations nationwide, with the goal of further strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy.
The AfriGO Card, powered by AfriGOpay Financial Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is a locally developed payment solution designed to enhance financial sovereignty. By leveraging AfriGO’s infrastructure, Tango Brook Technologies is creating more payment options by providing solutions tailored specifically to local market needs.
The Tango Fuel card provides access to physical payment cards accepted at fuel stations nationwide, along with tools, detailed reports, insights, and analytics that help individuals, households, and organisations/fleet managers track and optimise fuel expenditure while preventing fraud. As the card processor for the Tango Fuel Card, the AfriGO card is built to EMVCo standards, ensuring secure transactions through tokenization and contactless payment capabilities. The Tango Fuel card seamlessly integrates these features into its robust digital ecosystem, offering users a seamless and secure payment experience.
A Commitment to Innovation and Accessibility
Managing Director of Tango Brook Technologies,Obi Wemambu said, “The Tango Fuel Card transforms fuel management by giving businesses and individuals real-time visibility into consumption, mileage, and spending at both vehicle and driver levels. With PIN protection, customizable limits, and nationwide acceptance, it offers unmatched flexibility, security, and convenience. Enhanced with built-in rewards, Tango delivers savings while ensuring total control. Today, in partnership with AfriGO, we are launching a future-ready intelligent fuel management solution for individuals and enterprises alike.”
Similarly, AfriGo Pay Financial Services Limited said, “AfriGO is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Tango Fuel, a technology-driven fuel and fleet management platform. This collaboration aims to empower consumers and businesses with smarter tools to track and optimise fuel purchases and consumption.
This collaboration integrates Tango’s innovative fuel tracking solution with the secure and widely accepted payment infrastructure of AfriGO. The joint offering empowers users to seamlessly monitor fuel purchases, optimise consumption, and gain actionable insights—all through a unified, cashless experience.
AfriGO cards enable Tango Fuel Card users to conduct seamless and secure transactions at all fuel stations nationwide, utilizing locally supported payment solutions that enhance their daily financial interactions.
The AfriGO Instant Settlement service ensures that merchants and agents benefit from immediate transaction finalization, leading to greater efficiency, improved cash flow, and reduced risk.
Together, we are committed to driving transparency, efficiency, and digital inclusion in everyday fuel transactions.”
E-Business
Firm Warns Travellers of AI-powered Attacks Targeting Hotel Guests

Between June and August 2025, Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) discovered a new wave of cyberattacks by a threat group called RevengeHotels, which targets hotels to gain access to guests’ payment information.
The group has been operating since 2015 and has since upgraded its methods. The threat actor is now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make their attacks more effective and reach additional regions.
Analysis shows that many of the new malicious programs used in these attacks contain code likely generated with AI, making them more sophisticated and harder to detect.
While hotels in Brazil have been the main target to date, such cyberattacks have also been reported in other countries around the globe.
And considering that countries in Africa, including South Africa and Kenya, are popular tourist destinations, and Nigeria a popular business travel destination, it is important to consider that no country or hotel is immune to falling victim.
How the attacks work
The threat actor sends phishing emails directly to hotel staff, often disguised as requests for reservation or job applications. Once a hotel employee interacts with these emails, malware called VenomRAT is installed on the hotel’s systems, giving attackers access to guests’ payment data and other sensitive information. The emails often look convincing, coming from legitimate-looking websites.
“Сybercriminals are increasingly using AI to create new tools and make their attacks more effective. This means that even familiar schemes, like phishing emails, are becoming harder to spot for a common user.
For hotel guests, this translates into higher risks of card and personal data theft, even when you trust well-known hotels,” comments Lisandro Ubiedo, expert at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team.
E-Business
InnovateAI Lagos 2026 to Champion Responsible AI Across Africa

AI in Nigeria, the nation’s leading force in artificial intelligence advocacy and development, today announced the third edition of its flagship annual conference, InnovateAI. The 2026 conference will be a defining moment in the country’s technological evolution, with the theme: “Responsible AI beyond Innovation.”
Building on the successes of its previous editions, InnovateAI 2026 is poised to shape the national conversation on the critical issues of ethics, security, and governance in artificial intelligence. The inaugural InnovateAI 2024, themed “Adapting AI for Nigeria,” successfully catalysed policy discussions and attracted over 4,000 physical attendees, including AI Innovators, Academia, Researchers and Policy Makers engaging in public and private sector discourse on AI.
The recently concluded 2025 conference, themed “Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria,” expanded the event’s reach to over 6,000 physical participants, with live-streaming to twelve AI in Nigeria’s community hubs in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The conference addressed systemic challenges to scaling AI – talent, data, and compute infrastructure.
The 2026 edition represents a crucial strategic evolution. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into daily life, this conference will shift its focus from adoption to a deep dive into the foundational principles necessary for sustainable and trustworthy growth.
In addition to showcasing responsible AI innovations across industries, the conference will feature a series of focused sessions to explore these vital topics:
- AI Governance in Africa: Establishing a framework for a trusted future.
- Deepfakes, Fraud & Security Risks: Protecting Nigeria’s Digital Society from Emerging Threats.
- AI & Financial Services: Building trust in the fight against fraud and ensuring secure transactions.
- Digital Literacy for All: Preparing citizens for the age of AI through education and empowerment.
- Responsible AI Innovation: Balancing safety and growth to support Africa’s burgeoning startup scene.
“AI is reshaping industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace, but innovation without trust and governance risks leaving people behind. InnovateAI 2026 is a platform to ensure Africa defines its own AI future—one where ethics, inclusivity, and safety guide progress,” said Ehia Erhaboh, Co-Convener, AI in Nigeria.
InnovateAI 2026 is poised to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and the public to forge a path forward that ensures AI serves as a force for good, fostering inclusive opportunities, improving healthcare, and enabling smarter governance.
Organizations looking to shape Africa’s AI future are invited to become a partner or sponsor for InnovateAI 2026. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the responsible AI movement, gain targeted visibility among key stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors – positioning themselves at the forefront of Africa’s responsible AI movement. Your support will directly contribute to a vital national dialogue on AI governance and digital literacy, helping to create a safer, more inclusive, and prosperous future for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“This is not just a conference, it’s a catalyst for shaping Africa’s digital future,” said Dotun Adeoye, Co-Convener, AI in Nigeria. “Our partners’ support is essential in building a more equitable, secure, and prosperous AI ecosystem for Nigeria and beyond.”
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