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Airtel Nigeria Introduces New Financing Initiative for Smartphone Upgrade

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

To make the acquisition of 4G smartphones easier through flexible and convenient payment plan, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a Smartphone Financing Programme.

This innovative solution will drive wider digital inclusion and aggressively bridge the digital divide in the country.

Through this innovation, Airtel will finance new smartphones via its exclusive retail network, helping customers currently using 2G and 3G devices upgrade seamlessly to 4G connectivity.

The programme will kick off with the Itel A50 smartphone, a reliable, high-performing device designed to deliver a superior mobile experience for customers across Nigeria.

To be eligible, customers must be Airtel subscribers and are advised to check their financing status by dialling *492# USSD code. Once approved, the final onboarding is completed at any Airtel-owned shop. Upon making the initial down payment of N19,000 or N21,000, customers will receive their smartphone and immediately gain access to fast 4G internet.

All payments, including the down payment and subsequent weekly instalments, will be made exclusively through SmartCash, Airtel’s secure mobile money subsidiary.

In addition, customers must be active on the Airtel network for at least three months, have a registered SmartCash account, a valid form of identification such as NIN, Voter’s Card, or Driver’s Licence, and provide consent for data processing by Intelligra for eligibility verification.

“Connectivity is opportunity, and smartphones are the key that unlocks it. Through the Airtel Smartphone Financing Programme, we are enabling more Nigerians to access 4G technologies, experience the full benefits of digital inclusion without financial strain, and transform the way they learn, work, and live.

“This initiative goes beyond providing devices; it is about empowerment, progress, and building a truly connected future,” the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said at the unveiling of the scheme.

Also speaking on the innovation, the Director of Marketing for Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina, said, “Our mission is to democratise access to technology by removing financial barriers. With this programme, customers can now afford quality smartphones without the burden of full upfront payment.

“By leveraging SmartCash and intelligent scoring systems, we are creating a sustainable model for inclusive digital growth.”

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Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery in $82.7bn Mega Deal

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Netflix has reached a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to buy the legendary TV and movie studio and assets like the HBO Max streaming service for $82.7 billion.

Warner Bros. Discovery is moving forward with its plans to split into two publicly traded halves in 2026. Once the split takes effect, Netflix intends to acquire the Warner Bros. half. The other half, Discovery Global, will house CNN and other cable channels. The Warner Bros. half includes its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.

The transaction values Warner Bros. Discovery at $27.75 per share, implying a total equity value of approximately $72.0 billion and an enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion.

The deal is subject to regulatory conditions, of which there will be several, due to the size of the companies involved and what it means for competitiveness.

For several weeks, Paramount was thought to be the frontrunner in the auction for Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount executives, who want to buy all of Warner Bros. Discovery – including its cable assets – were confident about their merger proposal and their mutually beneficial relationship with President Donald Trump.

However, Netflix surprised many with the boldness of its bids as it agreed to the same costly breakup fee that Paramount proposed, according to reports. This means the would-be buyer will pay Warner Bros. Discovery billions of dollars if the deal is not completed.

“Our mission has always been to entertain the world,” said Mr Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies—from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends—with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”

Mr Greg Peters, the other co-CEO of Netflix, said the acquisition would “improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come,” adding: “Warner Bros. has helped define entertainment for more than a century and continues to do so with phenomenal creative executives and production capabilities. With our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they create—giving our members more options, attracting more fans to our best-in-class streaming service, strengthening the entire entertainment industry and creating more value for shareholders.”

“Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “For more than a century, Warner Bros. has thrilled audiences, captured the world’s attention, and shaped our culture. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the world’s most resonant stories for generations to come.”

The terms of the agreement will see each Warner Bros. Discovery shareholder receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock for Warner Bros. Discovery common stock share.

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Video Gaming Firm Xsolla Offers Nigerians Paga Payment Option

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A global video game commerce company, Xsolla, has integrated Nigeria’s Paga into its payment system, allowing Nigerians more secure payment options.

Xsolla helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games and with a large market available in Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million people, working with Paga is a good idea.

With services like Pay with Paga, Bank Transfers with Paga, and Cash by Paga, Xsolla provides a comprehensive payment solution that caters to diverse needs.

Serving more than 20 million users and processing massive volumes nationwide, Paga is one of Nigeria’s largest licensed mobile-money operators.

By integrating Paga’s full suite of payment options, players can enjoy seamless transactions, whether through quick in-app purchases, bank transfers, or cash deposits – with instant confirmations and reduced friction for all types of payments.

“Introducing Paga as a new payment method to players in Nigeria reflects our commitment to meeting players where they are,” said Chris Hewish, President at Xsolla.

“Paga’s strong local presence and trusted platform make it easier for Nigerian players to engage confidently, ensuring that convenience and security go hand in hand.”

From Nigeria to the world, Xsolla provides every payment method developers need to grow and monetize their games globally.

Local payment methods are crucial, enabling developers to reach every player, increase transaction conversions, and drive more sales and revenue. With Paga in Nigeria, it’s easier than ever to pay, play, and succeed.

Key benefits of the Paga integration include instant confirmations, localized experiences, and increased market reach and conversion.

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Temu Partners Dellyman to Scale Logistics Capabilities Across Nigeria

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

As part of its strategies to aggressively scale its logistics capabilities across key African markets, especially in Nigeria, the fast-growing global e-commerce powerhouse, Temu, has entered into a delivery partnership with Lagos-based logistics startup, Dellyman.

Through this collaboration, Temu customers in Nigeria will experience faster, more predictable, and more transparent deliveries, a critical factor in sustaining the platform’s customer satisfaction as order volumes continue to rise.

Dellyman’s technology-driven approach, spanning rider management, route optimisation, and customer visibility, played a central role in Temu’s selection process.

In the pilot phase, Dellyman completed more than 1,300 deliveries with a 95 per cent success rate, demonstrating its readiness to support large-scale e-commerce operations nationwide.

Founded in 2020, the firm has grown into one of Nigeria’s most reliable same-day and last-mile delivery platforms.

The company recently achieved a 10,000-order monthly delivery milestone in November 2025, contributing to a cumulative total of more than 300,000 lifetime deliveries.

This track record made Dellyman a strong fit for Temu, which is aggressively scaling logistics capabilities across key African markets.

“Our partnership with Temu is a major endorsement of the vision we set out with, to build Nigeria’s most reliable, scalable, and transparent last-mile delivery infrastructure.

“Achieving a 95 per cent delivery success rate during the pilot underscores our readiness to support high-volume e-commerce platforms.

“This collaboration shows that local startups can meet and exceed global standards when given the opportunity,” the chief executive of Dellyman, Mr Dare Ojo-Bello, said.

He further noted that the partnership represents more than operational growth as it signals a shift in how global e-commerce brands view Nigerian logistics capabilities.

“This is not just about fulfilling orders; it is about reshaping perceptions of what Nigerian delivery companies can achieve. We are committed to building the kind of infrastructure that supports international standards, empowers local businesses, and ultimately strengthens consumer trust in the broader digital economy,” he noted.

Mr Ojo-Bello added that Dellyman will continue investing in capacity, fleet expansion, and merchant-facing tools to ensure superior delivery experiences for Temu buyers and other online shoppers nationwide.

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