Brands/Products
GH Capital Mulls Bitcoin Credit Card Payment System
By Dipo Olowookere
A diversified FinTech holding company, GH Capital, has announced the intention of its online payment service subsidiary, ClickDirectPay, to actively exploring the concept of utilizing blockchain capabilities as part of its core offering, providing a financial platform that is universally accessible, regardless of country or currency.
As the popularity and growing demand for cryptocurrency increases, organizations offering payments and acquiring solutions will also gradually produce alternative solutions and approaches.
Chief Executive Officer of GH Capital, Mr Wolfgang Ruecker, stated that, “ClickDirectPay is looking to extend its reach of serviceability on a global scale.
“Currently, ClickDirectPay is only available in a few countries in Europe and merchants are required to have a European Bank account to accept and receive ClickDirectPay payments, based on the fact that clients wire funds to the corporate bank account of the merchant.
“Over the last several months, our core CDP team has been seeking a unified solution capable of streamlining payments with access to online merchants and clients worldwide.
“In order to reach this in the shortest amount of time and provide the borderless service payment providers should offer, we are actively exploring the concepts of blockchain and cryptocurrency to propel this goal.”
A surge in the digital coin’s value saw the total market value of all cryptocurrencies top $190 billion for the first time Thursday. The market cap of bitcoin alone is currently more than $109 billion, according to a recent article published by CNBC.
“If you look into Bitcoin a few years ago, everybody was skeptical. Today, a single Bitcoin trades above $8,000. More and more cryptocurrencies are available to the market with huge liquidity when it comes to exchange,” says Ruecker.
The growing niche market of accepting alternative payments means the next generation of online payment behaviour has already started, especially in the high risk payment processing industry. With products and services being delivered to customers globally, payment methods have always been an obstacle in the process.
“Cryptocurrencies allow anyone, anywhere to pay, creating new opportunities in markets which otherwise may have been restricted.
ClickDirectPay shall become a one shop solution for online merchants worldwide to accept cryptocurrencies in real time, hassle free (A user who purchased Bitcoin could spend it today on purchases and services, but only where merchants accept Bitcoin).
“We truly believe that this solution could generate significant revenue for GHHC in the next few years as this market begins to mature out of its infancy stage,” says Ruecker.
As more businesses operate online and service multiple countries around the world, the idea of integrating with multiple solutions and frameworks can be daunting. The goal of CDP has always been to create a seamless, easy and quick on-boarding of payment solutions for global online merchants no matter where they are located in the world, or what currencies they deal with. Cryptocurrencies will accelerate this process.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
