Fintech is the new bride. It is still attracting investors’ attention. It gets more funds. It creates more bubbles. This bubble may not last forever without the requisite infrastructure in place. Because, in themselves, fintech firms cannot move payments without a supporting infrastructure. Think about the analogy of the trailer. The 16-tyre trailer will carry a 40-foot container with various goods. Without the coupler – the head of a trailer – a trailer is useless.

On the one hand

A recent report by Intelpoint shows that African start-ups raised $3,499 billion across 275 funding rounds in 2025. This marked a year defined by: Capital concentration. Infrastructure bias. Increasing funding maturity. The report shows that while the total funding remained substantial, activity was uneven. A few large transactions influenced this.

On the other hand

In Africa, making a seamless payment across borders remains a big challenge. Any fintech firm that innovates around this challenge will attract funding. Besides, a lack of adequate infrastructure is another challenge. Poor internet connectivity and unreliable power supply.

In the long term

Intelpoint report shows that fintech retained its leadership position, with $1.4 billion in revenue. It reflected a sustained demand for digital payments. Credit. Financial infrastructure. It shows that the capital remained concentrated in the Big Four: Nigeria. Kenya. South Africa. Egypt.

Nigeria had $314 million with fintech-heavy but lower overall inflows. Kenya got $1.1 billion, primarily from energy megadeals. South Africa had $882 million. This country demonstrated sectoral diversity. Fintech. Energy. Insurance technology. Egypt had $709 million in investment.

A clue lurks underneath the figure. The Nigerian fintech ecosystem got less funding. Why is this so? While the other three countries have embraced infrastructure and energy, we are stuck in the fintech rut. Can we change gear? Can we pull in other areas like infrastructure? Insurtech? Regtech?

Or is it that investors are disinterested in building infrastructure? How can we make these areas attractive to the venture capitalists? Because without funding, no matter how beautiful the idea, the idea will remain a bumblebee. It cannot fly. If it does fly, it cannot scale.

Research has shown that fintech firms are not accustomed to building infrastructure. Building infrastructure consumes time. It is expensive. Due to this, fintech firms often run on a ‘third-party’ infrastructure. Flutterwave ‘rented’ MasterCard’s infrastructure before it built its own processor. Other fintech firms operate through banking-as-a-service providers. It is like employing Uber drivers to run errands. We need to build our own infrastructure.

Why this matters

A banking app runs on an existing infrastructure. Infrastructure provides the trust, security, and connectivity required to move payments. Fintech cannot move the economy. These other elements must be ready to push the needle. Yes, fintech pushes payments. What pushes payments? You and I push payments. We find fulfilment because some ‘‘couplers’’ make it happen.

In the short term

An infrastructure deficit usually leads to high fraud and technical failures.

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The Nigerian Union South Africa, NUSA, the umbrella body of Nigerians living in that country, made this known in a statement made available in Abuja on Monday.

The statement was jointly issued by NUSA President, Mr Smart Nwobi, and National Publicity Secretary, Mr Akindele Olunloyo.

The union said the deceased was fatally shot at about 3. p.m. at a Carltex Garage in Windsor East, Randburg, Johannesburg.

It said Uzor, who hailed from Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, was killed in a suspected incident of assassination while in his vehicle.

The union said the latest incident represented a troubling pattern of brutal violence against Nigerian nationals in South Africa.

NUSA challenged the South African government, particularly the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, to conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the incident.

The union also urged the authorities to ensure that any one found culpable faces the full wrath of the law.

It further urged the South African authorities to tackle the recurring violence targeted at Nigerian nationals living in that country.

“NUSA equally calls on the Nigerian government through the offices of our Consul General and the High Commissioner to actively engage diplomatically with their South African counterparts,” it said.

The union also called on the Nigerian Mission to work with NUSA, a community based organisation, to tackle issues diplomatically and legally.

NUSA said it was confident in South Africa’s justice system, expressing the hope that individuals found culpable would be identified and prosecuted.

That, it said, would allow the family of the victim to find closure.

NUSA urged the Nigerian community in South Africa to remain calm and law-abiding during the difficult period.

It said that the union was working tirelessly with relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.

Source: NAN

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South Africa dominated the opening 30 minutes, pressing aggressively and creating chances, but Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy kept the Indomitable Lions in the contest.

The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when James Tchamadeu struck clinically, shifting momentum in Cameroon’s favour after sustained South African dominance.

Cameroon doubled their lead shortly after, with Christian Kofane heading home in the 47th minute to compound South Africa’s woes.

Bafana Bafana fought back late through Evidence Makgopa’s 87th-minute goal, but Cameroon defended resolutely to seal victory.

Cameroon will face hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Source: NAN

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The post AFCON 2025: Cameroon edges S’Africa 2–1 to reach quarter-finals appeared first on Frontpageng.

Previously ranked 36th, the Super Falcons dropped to 37th, but remained top team of the continent.

The Super Falcons were inactive during the last FIFA women’s international break which contributed to their current position in the monthly ranking.

South Africa, Ghana, Zambia and Morocco complete the top five highest ranked countries in Africa.

Globally, Spain retained the highest ranked team with the United States of America, Germany, England and Sweden completing the top five.

Source: NAN

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‎This was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja on Tuesday.

‎“President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a two-nation visit to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola.”

‎“President Tinubu’s first stop is Johannesburg, where he will attend the 20th Summit of the G20 Leaders. After the summit, he will proceed to Angola for the AU-EU Summit.”

‎Onanuga said that South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current G20 President, extended the invitation to Tinubu, while Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva did same during his tenure in 2024.

‎The G20 Summit, scheduled for November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will gather leaders of the world’s top economies, as well as representatives of the EU, AU and global institutions.

‎The theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will guide deliberations across three plenary sessions:

‎“Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; Leaving No One Behind: Building our economies, the role of trade, Financing for development and the Debt burden.”

‎“A Resilient World: the G20’s Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems.”

‎“A fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence.”

‎Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen discussions on regional and global peace, security and development.

‎After the G20 meetings, Tinubu will join AU and EU leaders for their 7th Summit scheduled for November 24 to 25 in Luanda, Angola.

‎“The AU and EU meeting will bring together young leaders, innovators and Civil Society Organisations to brainstorm on some of the shared challenges of the two unions.

‎“It will also provide recommendations on how to address issues related to climate change, inclusivity in development, infrastructure, the digital economy, the creative industry, manufacturing and agribusiness.”

‎According to the statement, the president will be accompanied by senior officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.

‎Others are the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; and Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole and the ‎Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

‎Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the end of the two meetings.

Source: NAN

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In the ranking table on the website of the football governing body, Nigeria garnered 1483 points in the month under review as against 1484 points it had at the last ranking in July.

During the period under review, the Super Eagles drew one match (South Africa), won two (Nig 1:0 Rwanda), (Nig 2:0 Congo) and lost two (Sudan 4:0 Nig), (Sen 1:0 Nig).

At the continental level, Nigeria placed 6th behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire respectively.

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On the global scene, Spain dethroned Argentina who had occupied the position since April 2023, to be world leader for the first time since 2014.

The biggest climber was Slovakia, climbing 10 spots to become 42nd.

In total, more than 200 relevant national-team matches were contested around the world since the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking was last updated, majorly impacting on the pecking order.

Source: NAN

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Introduction: When the Plane Takes Off, the System Fails

A familiar story plays out almost every month in parts of Nigeria and across Africa. A prominent politician, a pastor’s wife, or a wealthy business owner is rushed onto a private jet, en route to India, the UK, or Dubai. The diagnosis: a treatable heart condition, kidney failure, cancer surgery, or a complex orthopedic issue. What’s missing at home? The facilities. The specialists. The trust.

Medical tourism is now so normalized that Nigerians spent over $1.6 billion on outbound health travel in 2022, according to the Nigerian Medical Association. Much of that is for routine or mid-level surgeries that should be available locally. And for every successful airlift, there are countless others who die in silence because they simply can’t afford it.

But what if the story could change? What if the Nigerian and broader African diaspora — doctors, entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday remittance senders — began directing their wealth, skills, and influence toward building local surgical hubs?

This is not charity. It’s strategic. It’s survival. It’s nation-building.

The Medical Tourism Drain: What We’re Losing

Let’s be clear — medical tourism is not just about money leaving the country. It represents a vote of no confidence in our systems. And it comes at great social, emotional, and even diplomatic cost.

Each year, Nigeria alone loses hundreds of millions of dollars to countries like India, Turkey, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. These are funds that could have been circulated within local economies — paying for hospital equipment, training more surgeons, funding health startups, or maintaining biomedical infrastructure.

Behind the glamour of outbound treatment lies a darker truth — 95% of Nigerians can’t afford to leave the country for healthcare. They face long waiting lines, misdiagnoses, expired equipment, or sometimes — simply no help at all. The brain drain of qualified surgeons and specialists to the West compounds this. When healthcare systems fail, it’s not just about statistics — it’s about funerals that didn’t have to happen.

Why the Diaspora Must Intervene Now

The African diaspora — particularly Nigerians abroad — have shown incredible power in transforming lives through remittances. In 2023, diaspora remittances to Nigeria alone hit $20.1 billion, according to the World Bank. But what if just 1% of that was pooled annually to create sustainable, specialized surgical centers across underserved regions?

Here’s why the diaspora must lead this charge:

You Understand the Gap

Diaspora medical professionals, especially those trained abroad, know the difference between an equipped surgical suite and a glorified consultation room. Many of you left home because the tools to operate or innovate didn’t exist. You are best positioned to identify where the gaps are — and how to fix them.

You Can Mobilize Capital Faster than Governments

Let’s be honest — waiting for federal health ministries to fix this problem is a losing game. Diaspora-led consortiums, health cooperatives, or even mission-focused investment vehicles can raise funds, cut red tape, and deploy infrastructure more effectively.

You’re Already Doing It, Quietly

Many diaspora doctors are already sponsoring medical outreaches, sending equipment, or flying in for free surgeries during the holidays. These efforts, though noble, are often fragmented and unsustainable. It’s time to scale them up, formalize them, and make them permanent.

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Local Surgical Hubs: What They Could Look Like

The concept of a surgical hub isn’t complicated. It’s a focused, specialized center designed to handle high-demand surgical cases with quality, speed, and safety. Think of a cardiac hub in Enugu, an orthopedic center in Jos, or a kidney transplant hub in Ibadan — backed by diaspora talent, training, and funding.

These hubs can operate under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model, or even as fully private ventures with subsidized access for underserved patients. Diaspora medical networks in the UK, US, and Canada can partner with local teaching hospitals to create twinning programmes — sending equipment, protocols, and personnel on a rotational basis.

Critically, these hubs can also become centers of medical education and innovation, training the next generation of surgeons, nurses, and technicians who won’t need to leave the country to gain world-class experience.

The India Example: From Receivers to Providers

India, once heavily reliant on outbound medical travel, is now a global destination for advanced surgeries. How did they do it?

– Strategic investment in medical training institutions

– Government incentives for private hospital groups

– Diaspora doctors returning home to build their own hospitals

– Heavy focus on cost efficiency and specialized care

Nigeria and other African countries don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to localize the model. And the diaspora holds the blueprint.

The next time someone asks, “Where’s the best place in West Africa for heart surgery?” — wouldn’t it be powerful if the answer was right here at home, funded and led by the diaspora?

Real-World Models Already Emerging

The good news is that some models are already taking root:

– DUCHESS International Hospital in Lagos, backed by local and diaspora investors, is offering top-tier surgical services and gradually building trust in private care.

– R.E.A.C.H. (Returnees Establishing Accessible Care in Health) is a budding diaspora initiative exploring how to fund maternal and surgical health hubs across West Africa.

– Diaspora Angels Network (DAN) has shown interest in investing in healthcare-focused startups and facilities — not just tech — in East and West Africa.

What’s missing? Scale. Coordination. Storytelling. If more diaspora actors knew about these efforts — and saw a clear entry point — the movement could accelerate.

What Can You Do From Abroad?

You don’t need to be a surgeon to join the mission. Diaspora professionals can plug in in various ways:

– Form or join diaspora health investment groups

– Support a surgical hub fund in your local state or community

– Mentor young Nigerian doctors or surgical techs via online platforms

– Sponsor medical research and surgical simulation training labs

– Build or co-invest in a diagnostic center with clear patient safety goals

Think of it this way: if 1,000 diaspora professionals pooled just $1,000 each annually, that’s a million-dollar fund. Enough to upgrade an entire surgical department or equip a rural facility.

Conclusion: Let’s End the Next Airlift Before It Begins

Every airlift to India or Dubai is a story of something we failed to build at home. But with diaspora muscle, networks, and vision, we can flip the script. We can go from exporting patients to training global surgeons right at home. From relying on charity to designing resilient, self-sustaining hubs of medical excellence.

The challenge is urgent. But the opportunity is massive.

The next time someone asks, “Where’s the best place in West Africa for heart surgery?” — wouldn’t it be powerful if the answer was right here at home, funded and led by the diaspora?

Let’s not wait for the next airlift. Let’s build the runway for something better.

The post Why the diaspora must help build local medical hubs appeared first on Frontpageng.

Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, got Justine Madugu’s side off to a flying start with the opener in the 45th minute.

She converted a penalty into the bottom corner touching Banyana Banyana goalie, Andile Dlamini after a foul by South Africa’s Bambanani Mbane.

This came after incessant attacking pressure from the Super Falcons including saves from Dlamini.

The 2022 champions, however, came out strong in the second half hoping for an equalizer.

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A foul by Osinachi Ohale inside the box led to another penalty which was converted by Linda Motlhalo in the hour mark to level things.

With the game heading towards extra time, a seeming cross by Michelle Alozie resulted into the winning goal in the additional minutes of the second half.

The win ensured that Nigeria will be playing in their 10th WAFCON final as they continue their quest to win their 10th title with mantra “Mission X”.

Ajibade was again named Woman of the Match as Nigeria will await the winner of the second semi final clash between hosts Morocco and Ghana.

Source: NAN

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The result meant South Africa booked a place in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Egypt 2025.

A well-taken header by Tylon Smith in the 66th minute proved decisive in a fiercely contested match between two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.

The result also ends the Flying Eagles’ hopes of winning a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title.

Nigeria, dominant for large spells in the second half, were made to rue missed opportunities, particularly in the final moments.

This was after South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe produced a string of saves to deny Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma.

The match began cautiously, with both sides probing without creating clear-cut chances.

Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku both had early efforts saved in a first half that ended goalless despite Nigeria’s superior attacking numbers.

The breakthrough, however, came just after the hour mark.

Neo Rapoo whipped in a corner from the right, and Smith rose highest to power home a header into the centre of the goal.

It was Smith’s first of the tournament and arguably the most important yet for the Amajita.

Nigeria responded with urgency, making double substitutions in the 65th minute to inject pace and fresh energy into the attack.

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Rickson Mendos and Bidemi Amole nearly made instant impacts, with both going close in a series of intense late assaults on the South African goal.

Ayuma had two excellent chances to level, including a diving header that was brilliantly saved by Lowe.

But South Africa’s resolute defending and composed midfield play saw them through, stretching their unbeaten run at the Suez Canal Stadium to four games.

The win sees South Africa reach their second U-20 AFCON final, their first since 1997 when they finished as runners-up.

For Nigeria, it marks a third consecutive semi-final defeat in the tournament, having previously fallen to Gambia (2023) and Mali (2019).

South Africa’s run to the final has been built on solid defence and efficiency in front of goal.

Thursday’s win also means they will head into the final with momentum, having now gone five matches unbeaten — their longest such streak in U-20 AFCON history.

With qualification to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup already secured, the Amajita will now turn their attention to winning their first continental title.

Source: NAN

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During a bilateral meeting at his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake hosted South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, H.E. Gwede Mantashe.

Alake described the engagement as a milestone in deepening bilateral relations, especially in the vital mining sector.

Reflecting on the historical ties between the two countries, Alake noted the longstanding diplomatic and economic cooperation built on mutual respect and a shared vision for Africa’s development.

He stressed that collaboration in the mining sector offerred vast opportunities for industrialization, job creation, and sustainable growth across the continent.

“The Memorandum of Understanding in geology, mining, and mineral processing signed today,” Alake stated, “will serve as a cornerstone for facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, investment promotion, capacity building, regional integration, and value addition.”

Key highlights of the MoU include:

* Capacity building in geological applications using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

* Utilization of Multi- and Hyper-spectral Remote Sensing Technologies for mineral exploration and geological mapping

* Sharing of geoscientific data on strategic minerals through the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA,

* Training on mineral processing and value addition

* Capacity Building on Elemental Fingerprint Technology using LA-ICP-MS

* Exploration of Agro and Energy Minerals In Nigeria

Alake emphasized Nigeria’s renewed focus on developing its mining industry, stating that South Africa could benefit from Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth, while Nigeria could tap into South Africa’s advanced mining expertise. That synergy, he said, would open doors to investment, skills development, and economic diversification.

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In his remarks, Gwede Mantashe affirmed that South Africa—where mining plays a central role in the economy—stood to gain from Nigeria’s revitalized interest in the sector.

He added that his visit aimed to fine-tune agreements from the Bi-National Commission and to deepen collaboration on mutually beneficial projects with Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

Both ministers committed to sustained engagement and collaboration to boost intra-African trade and deliver on the actionable steps outlined in the MoU.

They expressed confidence that that renewed partnership would significantly enhance the mining sectors of both countries.

The MoU signing was attended by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu; alongside senior officials from both solid minerals and steel development ministries and members of the South African delegation led by Gwede Mantashe.

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