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Nigeria’s AI Ambitions Halted by Lack of “AI-Ready” Data Centres

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Nigeria’s AI Ambitions Halted by Lack of “AI-Ready” Data Centres

Nigeria’s rapidly accelerating interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) faces a fundamental infrastructure roadblock, as a top industry executive has revealed that not a single data centre in the country is currently equipped to support true, core AI workloads.

Speaking at the CEO Breakfast Roundtable organized by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) in Lagos, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Nigeria (formerly Medallion Communications), issued a stark warning: while the nation boasts a thriving AI ecosystem, the necessary physical foundation to host it locally is missing.

The Missing Link: High-Density Infrastructure

According to Nnamani, the existing data centres in Nigeria, though vital for cloud services and traditional enterprise hosting, were not designed for the extreme computational demands of modern AI.

“There is no data centre in Nigeria today that is AI-ready,” Nnamani stated emphatically. “Local AI companies are creating solutions, but they are hosting abroad because the infrastructure here cannot support the kind of computing AI requires.”

The key difference lies in the technical specifications required to run systems like Large Language Models (LLMs), deep learning clusters, and advanced inference engines:

  • High-Density Workloads: AI demands Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and specialized processors that generate immense heat and require significantly more power per rack than traditional servers.

  • Advanced Cooling Systems: Air cooling, common in current Nigerian data centres, is insufficient for these high-density racks. AI-ready facilities require liquid cooling or other advanced thermal management solutions to prevent equipment failure and ensure efficiency.

  • Massive Power Availability: AI compute environments require a far more robust and stable power supply—an ongoing challenge for infrastructure operators in the country.

The Threat to Digital Sovereignty

Nigeria’s AI ecosystem is not small; Nnamani disclosed that a local AI association boasts over 300 members actively developing or selling AI solutions. The CEO warned that the lack of local, AI-ready hosting capabilities poses multiple risks:

  1. Data Sovereignty: By forcing local AI solutions to be hosted abroad, Nigeria risks losing control and governance over sensitive national data.

  2. Increased Latency: Hosting AI models outside the country introduces delays that hinder real-time applications critical for fintech and e-commerce.

  3. Capital Flight: The nation loses out on the substantial revenue and value creation associated with maintaining and operating high-performance computing infrastructure.

A Look at the Competition

Nnamani benchmarked Nigeria’s situation against the continent’s digital leader, citing Teraco (Digital Realty’s South African subsidiary) which recently built an AI-ready data centre equipped with liquid cooling and a massive IT load.

The comparison highlighted the scale of the challenge: the sheer IT load of one of Teraco’s facilities is reportedly larger than the combined capacity of all existing data centres in Nigeria.

The Way Forward: Global Partnership and Hyperscale

While the infrastructure gap is significant, Nnamani offered a pragmatic outlook, estimating that Nigeria is still two to three years away from having functional, true AI-ready data centres.

He stressed that the rapid development of this infrastructure will depend heavily on global operators with the technology, experience, and, crucially, the financial muscle to deploy high-performance computing environments. Digital Realty, through its ongoing expansion and planning for hyperscale facilities in Nigeria, is positioning itself to lead this next wave of development.

The message is clear: for Nigeria to fully realize its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy and cementing its place as an African AI leader, the focus must shift from merely building more data centres to building smarter, AI-optimized data centres capable of sustaining the computational demands of the future.

Customs Seizes 25.5kg of Cocaine Aboard Brazilian Ship at Apapa Port

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Customs Seizes 25.5kg of Cocaine Aboard Brazilian Ship at Apapa Port

In a significant victory against the international drug trade, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a massive haul of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard a Brazilian-flagged vessel.1

 

The drug bust, which led to the immediate detention of the ship, underscores the intensified collaboration between the Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to secure Nigeria’s maritime gateways.2

 

The Details of the Seizure

The illicit drugs were discovered on the vessel, identified as MV San Anthonio, which had sailed from Brazil.3

 

  • Quantity Seized: 25.5 kilograms of cocaine.4

     

  • Concealment: The drugs were tightly packaged in 24 parcels/slabs and concealed within five bags found onboard the ship.5

     

  • Vessel Detained: The ship, MV San Anthonio, has been detained pending further investigation.6

     

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, the Customs Area Controller for the Apapa Port Command, revealed that the breakthrough was a direct result of meticulous profiling and intelligence-led operations carried out in synergy with the NDLEA.7

 

The International Trail

Customs intelligence indicated that the Brazilian ship raised red flags due to its itinerary:

“Our intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship’s country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala, and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade8,” Comptroller Oshoba stated.9

 

This established pattern of movement through notorious drug trafficking corridors confirmed the need for a targeted inspection, which ultimately led to the discovery of the hard drugs.10

 

Zero Compromise on National Security

The seizure aligns with the directive from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on maintaining a zero-compromise posture against unlawful trade.11

 

Comptroller Oshoba reiterated the command’s commitment, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches:12

 

“This seizure and detention of the ship should send a strong message of warning that should resonate with perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system… As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation.”

Following the procedure for drug seizures, the Customs Service has officially handed over the 25.5kg of cocaine to the NDLEA, represented by the Commander of the Apapa Strategic Command, CN Haliru Umar, for further investigation and prosecution of all parties involved.13

 

The successful operation serves as a potent deterrent, reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to dismantle international drug cartels attempting to use its ports as transit points into West Africa and beyond.

From Port to Presidential Suite: Inside Taiwo Afolabi’s Billion-Naira Masterpiece—The Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja

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From Port to Presidential Suite: Inside Taiwo Afolabi’s Billion-Naira Masterpiece—The Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja

In a move that highlights the immense capital and diversified interests of Nigeria’s business titans, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the founder and CEO of the sprawling SIFAX Group conglomerate, has established a towering monument to luxury in Lagos’s highbrow Ikeja GRA: the Lagos Marriott Hotel.

This venture, managed by the world-renowned Marriott International, solidifies Dr. Afolabi’s transition from a logistics mogul—whose empire dominates the maritime, aviation, and oil and gas sectors—into a major player in the premium hospitality space.

🌟 A Five-Star Jewel in Ikeja

Completed in May 2021, the Lagos Marriott Hotel instantly redefined the luxury landscape in the Mainland area of Lagos. Built on a sprawling 7,000 square meter site, the seven-storey structure is not merely a hotel; it is a full-service experience designed for discerning local and international travelers.

The hotel is a key project of Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, reflecting the Group’s strategic diversification drive which began decades ago.

  • Structure and Scale: The hotel boasts 251 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, catering to everything from corporate stays to lavish leisure trips.

  • Design & Construction: The project was reportedly designed by G1 Architecture, with construction handled by Dori Construction and Engineering, ensuring international standards in aesthetics and structural integrity.

💰 The Price of Unmatched Luxury

The investment’s scale is immediately reflected in its premium pricing, placing it firmly at the apex of Nigerian hospitality:

Room Type Estimated Price Range (Naira) Estimated Price Range (USD)
Standard/Base Rooms ~N583,635 ~$378
Presidential Suite Up to N3.9 million Up to ~$2,539

Note: Room prices are dynamic and subject to exchange rate fluctuations, but consistently reflect the premium quality and five-star service delivered by the Marriott brand.

⚓ The SIFAX Group Story: From Freight to Fortune

The story of the Lagos Marriott is inextricably linked to the visionary leadership of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi.

Dr. Afolabi established SIFAX Group in 1988 as a modest freight forwarding agency. Through shrewd business acumen, hard work, and strategic acquisitions, he transformed it into one of West Africa’s most prominent integrated service providers. The Group’s influence now stretches across critical economic arteries:

  • Maritime: Terminal operations and shipping.

  • Aviation: Through subsidiaries like Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO).

  • Logistics: Haulage and warehousing.

  • Hospitality: Anchored by the Lagos Marriott.

The successful launch and operation of a world-class hotel under a brand as globally respected as Marriott International is a powerful testament to the financial might and execution capability of the SIFAX Group. It serves as a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to host and sustain high-end luxury ventures.

The Visual Architects: Nigeria’s Top Music Video Directors with Over 100 Million YouTube Views

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The Visual Architects: Nigeria’s Top Music Video Directors with Over 100 Million YouTube Views

 Nigeria’s music industry has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic creative exports, with Afrobeats now firmly established as a central force in global pop culture. While the recording artists often take center stage, the Afrobeats ecosystem is sustained by a robust network of creatives, including producers, stylists, and crucially, music video directors.

The industry is not only culturally influential but economically significant. As streaming numbers skyrocket, the visual component of the music has become the primary vehicle for exporting Nigerian culture to the world.

A recent report by Nairalytics highlights the elite league of Nigerian cinematographers who have successfully guided music videos past the coveted 100 million views mark on YouTube. These are the directors defining the visual identity of Afrobeats.

1. Daps — The Global Heavyweight

Video: Bad & Boujee (Migos)

Views: 1.3 Billion

Leading the pack with a staggering 1.3 billion views is Oladapo Fagbenle, professionally known as Daps. While he is a major player in the Nigerian scene, his chart-topping entry here is the global hip-hop smash Bad & Boujee by Migos. Daps represents the bridge between the Nigerian diaspora and the global music industry, having directed for international superstars while maintaining deep roots in the African creative space. His ability to deliver billion-stream visuals sets the gold standard for production quality.

2. Director Kay — The Viral Visionary

Video: Calm Down (Rema)

Views: 668 Million

Holding the second spot is Director Kay, the eye behind Rema’s global anthem, Calm Down. With 668 million views, this video was instrumental in propelling the song to international stardom before the remix with Selena Gomez even dropped. Director Kay’s work on this project highlights the shift in Nigerian videography toward storytelling that resonates with a global Gen-Z audience, utilizing vibrant colors and youthful energy.

3. Meiji Alabi — The Aesthetic King

Video: On The Low (Burna Boy)

Views: 450 Million

Meiji Alabi is synonymous with the “Afro-fusion” visual aesthetic. His work on Burna Boy’s On The Low ( 450 million views) is widely considered a classic in the genre. Alabi is known for bridging the gap between London and Lagos, bringing a polished, high-fashion, and cinematic texture to music videos. His visuals often feel like short films, contributing significantly to Burna Boy’s “African Giant” persona.

4. TG Omori — The Blockbuster Director

Video: Buga (Kizz Daniel)

Views: 268 Million

ThankGod Omori, popularly known as “Boy Director,” has redefined the scale of Nigerian music videos. Known for his maximalist style, massive crowds, and elaborate costumes, his work on Kizz Daniel’s Buga garnered 268 million views. Omori is currently one of the most sought-after directors in the industry, commanding high budgets that reflect the growing economic power of the Nigerian music label system.

5. Dammy Twitch — The Clean Cut

Video: Alcohol (Joeboy)

Views: 184 Million

Dammy Twitch has carved a niche for clean, sharp, and narrative-driven visuals. His direction of Joeboy’s Alcohol (184 million views) proves that a video doesn’t always need a cast of hundreds to be effective; it needs the right mood. His lighting techniques and editing style have made him a favorite for artists looking for a sleek, modern look.

6. Clarence Peters — The Godfather

Video: Johnny (Yemi Alade)

Views: 177 Million

No list of Nigerian directors is complete without Clarence Peters. A veteran who professionalized the industry, his work on Yemi Alade’s Johnny stands at 177 million views. Peters has remained relevant for nearly two decades, transitioning through different eras of technology and style. Johnny remains one of the most watched African music videos of all time, a testament to his enduring legacy.

7. Perlinks — The New Wave

Video: Charm (Rema)

Views: 136 Million

Another entry for Rema’s discography is Charm, directed by Perlinks, with 136 million views. This entry signifies the rise of new talent in the directing space. As the demand for content increases, directors like Perlinks are stepping up to handle major projects for A-list artists, proving that the industry has a healthy pipeline of rising technical talent.

8. Director Pink — Breaking Boundaries

Video: Egwu (Chike ft. Mohbad)

Views: 130 Million

Rounding out the list is the phenomenal Director Pink (Pinkline Films), with 130 million views for Chike’s hit Egwu. As a female director in a heavily male-dominated field, Director Pink is a trailblazer. Her presence on this list signals a necessary and welcome shift in the industry, showcasing that women are not just in front of the camera in Afrobeats, but are also the powerful creative forces behind it.

Why This Matters

These numbers are not just vanity metrics; they represent revenue. YouTube monetization, brand partnerships, and the ability to tour globally are all tied to the visibility these videos provide. As these directors continue to push the boundaries of cinematography, they are ensuring that the Nigerian music industry remains not just a cultural movement, but a sustainable economic powerhouse.

Source: Data and rankings via Nairalytics.

Written By Adesina Kasali

Dangote Urges African Entrepreneurs to ‘Invest At Home’ to Attract Global Capital

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Dangote Urges African Entrepreneurs to ‘Invest At Home’ to Attract Global Capital

OWERRI, Imo State—Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has issued a powerful challenge to entrepreneurs across the continent, urging them to prioritize local investment as the essential catalyst for attracting foreign capital.

Speaking on Thursday at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, Dangote emphasized that African investors must lead by example before the global investment community will take the continent seriously.

Domestic Investment as the Foreign Magnet

Dangote stressed that the responsibility for Africa’s development rests squarely on the shoulders of its own business leaders. He affirmed that foreign investors use domestic commitment as the key metric for confidence.

“Our job is to keep investing at home. If we don’t invest at home, there is nobody on earth that will come and invest here. What attracts foreign investors is the domestic investment, and that’s what we are doing.”

— Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group

The billionaire referenced his own commitment, noting that when questioned by CNN about his decision to double the capacity of the Dangote Refinery, he responded, “I don’t have anywhere else to go and invest but at home. When I say at home, I mean Nigeria and Africa.”

He further pointed out that Africa holds about 30 per cent of the world’s mineral resources, cautioning that local leaders must act decisively to develop these assets or risk losing the opportunities to external interests.

Commendation for Tinubu’s Bold Policies

Dangote used the platform to commend the bold economic reforms implemented by President Bola Tinubu, stating that the policies are already starting to show positive results and have created a favourable environment for investment.

He specifically praised key structural changes:

  • The removal of the fuel subsidy.

  • The exchange rate reforms (unification of the Naira).

  • Other decisive policy shifts that provide the clarity and stability necessary for long-term business planning.

Comparing the Nigerian economy to a lottery ticket, Dangote said, “Nigeria is like a scratch card. You only see the good of it when you scratch the card. Some of us who have scratched the card are seeing the results.”

The industrialist also reaffirmed his group’s commitment to new ventures, assuring the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, that the Dangote Group is ready to become one of the state’s biggest investors, especially in the fertilizer sector, with plans to become the world’s number one fertilizer producer by 2028.

FG Approves ₦185 Billion Payment to Clear Gas Suppliers’ Debts

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FG Approves ₦185 Billion Payment to Clear Gas Suppliers’ Debts

ABUJA—The Federal Government has approved the payment of ₦185 billion in outstanding legacy debts owed to natural gas suppliers, a decisive measure aimed at injecting critical liquidity into the energy sector and stabilizing Nigeria’s fragile electricity generation capabilities.

The massive financial clearance addresses a long-standing crisis that has plagued the power value chain, hindering investment and exacerbating the nation’s persistent electricity shortages.

Easing Liquidity Constraints and Boosting Supply

For years, the accumulation of unpaid invoices from the national bulk purchaser, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET), had severely weakened the financial health of gas producers. These liquidity constraints had a cascading negative effect:

  1. Slowed Investment: Gas suppliers lacked the necessary capital for upstream investment, maintenance, and expansion needed to meet growing demand.

  2. Limited Deliveries: Producers frequently curtailed gas deliveries to power generation companies (GenCos), citing non-payment and crippling cash flow issues.

  3. Worsened Shortages: Since gas-fired turbines account for a majority of Nigeria’s power generation capacity, limited gas supply directly translated into frequent blackouts and reduced electricity output nationwide.

The approval of the ₦185 billion payment is expected to immediately ease the cash flow squeeze on gas companies, allowing them to optimize their operations and prioritize gas supply to thermal power plants.

A Step Toward Sector Stabilization

The payment is seen by industry analysts as a critical step in restoring investor confidence and signaling the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the systemic debt issues plaguing the power sector.

While the payment addresses the legacy debt, experts emphasize that the government must still implement a sustainable mechanism to guarantee the timely payment of future gas deliveries. Without resolving the underlying issues of cost-reflective tariffs and systemic metering gaps, the debt cycle risks restarting.

Ultimately, the goal of this financial intervention is to ensure that Nigeria’s gas-to-power framework operates efficiently, translating the new liquidity into improved gas-fired electricity generation and greater reliability for homes and businesses.

US Home Care CEO Arrested at SFO for Alleged $7 Million VA Fraud

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US Home Care CEO Arrested at SFO for Alleged $7 Million VA Fraud

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—A United States-based Nigerian CEO, Cashmir Chinedu Luke, was arrested at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Wednesday while allegedly attempting to board a flight to Nigeria, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

Luke, who is the CEO and sole owner of a Fresno-based home health care company, is charged in a criminal complaint alleging that he fraudulently obtained more than $7 million in payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over a five-year period.

The Charges: Billing for the Deceased

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced the charges, which allege that Mr. Luke, believed to be 66, orchestrated an extensive scheme through his company, Four Corners Health LLC. The firm provided unskilled in-home nursing and daily care for elderly VA beneficiaries under the Veterans Community Care Program across several California counties.

According to court documents, the scheme lasted from December 2019 to July 2024 and involved submitting approximately 10,000 individual false claims. The fraudulent charges included:

  • Billing for the Deceased: Claims for care purportedly rendered to veterans weeks after they had died.

  • Unrendered Services: Claims for care that was never actually provided, including hours that caretakers did not work or days when they were not present with the veterans.

  • Duplicate Claims: Submitting duplicate claims for services that had already been reimbursed.

The Arrest

Luke, an Antioch resident, was taken into custody at SFO as he prepared to leave the country. Prosecutors allege that as the sole owner and billing representative, Luke actively deceived the VA’s third-party benefits administrator and repeatedly misled them as they tried to recover improper payments, allowing the scheme to continue.

Prosecutors further allege that Luke personally profited from the scheme, spending the reimbursement payments on “lavish personal expenses” or promptly transferring the funds across a network of bank accounts located in Asia and Africa.

The case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. If convicted on the charges, Luke faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max in $72 Billion Deal

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Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max in $72 Billion Deal

BLOCKBUSTER ACQUISITION:

HOLLYWOOD, CA—In a seismic shift that will fundamentally reshape the global media and entertainment landscape, Netflix has emerged victorious in a month-long bidding war, announcing a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) film and television studios, HBO, and the HBO Max streaming division.

The massive cash-and-stock transaction is valued at approximately $72 billion in equity (and an enterprise value of $82.7 billion including debt), marking Netflix’s largest acquisition ever and cementing its position as the undisputed titan of the streaming world.

The Deal Details

The acquisition will see the Warner Bros. studios and HBO Max absorbed into Netflix’s massive global operation. WBD will first split into two companies before the deal closes, expected by the third quarter of 2026:

  • Acquired by Netflix: Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO, HBO Max, and its extensive content library.

  • Spun Off: WBD’s Global Networks division, including cable channels like CNN, TBS, and TNT, will be spun off into a new, publicly-traded company called Discovery Global.

Netflix prevailed over rival bidders, which included Paramount Skydance and Comcast, by offering a higher, predominantly cash bid valued at $27.75 per WBD share.

Why This Is a Game Changer

This acquisition provides Netflix with the one element its competitors—like Disney—already commanded: a deep, century-old library of iconic intellectual property (IP):

Acquired Intellectual Property (IP) Impact
HBO Library Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Succession, The White Lotus, The Last of Us.
DC Comics Universe Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, directly challenging Disney’s Marvel dominance.
Warner Bros. Franchises Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, classics like Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz.
TV Classics Friends, The Big Bang Theory.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated that the deal combines Netflix’s “global reach and best-in-class streaming service with Warner Bros.’ century-long legacy of world-class storytelling.”

Anticipated Challenges and Consumer Impact

While the deal is a victory for Netflix, it is immediately expected to face intense antitrust scrutiny from regulators in the U.S. and Europe, given the massive market consolidation.

  • Antitrust Concerns: Critics, including rival bidder Paramount, argue that the combination of the two largest streaming services could reduce competition, lead to higher prices, and decrease content diversity.

  • Theatrical Release: Netflix has provided assurances that it will maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations and continue to release its studio films in cinemas, directly addressing concerns that the deal would dismantle theatrical exhibition.

  • Consumer Value: To preempt regulatory concerns, Netflix has argued that the combined entity will allow them to offer consumers “more choice and greater value,” potentially through lower-cost bundled subscriptions that include both Netflix and HBO content.

The combination is also expected to generate between $2 billion and $3 billion in annual cost savings for Netflix by the third year after closing, a key driver for the deal’s immense valuation.

Strive Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA Partner to Build Africa’s First AI Factory

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Strive Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA Partner to Build Africa’s First AI Factory

JOHANNESBURG—African technology mogul Strive Masiyiwa, founder of Cassava Technologies, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with U.S. tech giant NVIDIA to establish Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factory. This multi-million-dollar initiative, named “Project Mufungi,” is designed to provide the continent with the high-performance computing infrastructure necessary to compete globally in the age of AI.

The collaboration directly addresses the significant gap in computing power that has historically hindered African startups and researchers, positioning the continent for a dramatic technological leap.

Strategic Investment and Deployment

Cassava Technologies is investing up to $720 million in the AI expansion, with NVIDIA supplying its cutting-edge hardware and software architecture. The project will roll out in phases across five key African nations:

  1. Phase One: The first AI factory, housing 3,000 NVIDIA Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), is set to be operational in South Africa by June 2025.

  2. Expansion: Over the next three to four years, an additional 9,000 GPUs will be deployed across Cassava’s data centers in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, bringing the total GPU count to 12,000.

This high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure is crucial, as it provides the supercomputers and software needed to train complex AI models—a capability previously scarce on the continent.

Empowering African Innovation and Data Sovereignty

The core objective of the AI Factory is to democratize access to advanced computing power across various critical sectors:

  • Sectoral Impact: It will empower industries such as healthcare (diagnostics), agriculture (precision farming), finance (FinTech solutions), and education (personalized learning models) to develop homegrown AI solutions.

  • Accessibility: By delivering AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS), the facility will remove the prohibitive cost barriers for African businesses, startups, and researchers, allowing them to focus on innovation.

  • Digital Sovereignty: A key benefit is the guarantee that AI training and data processing occur locally, keeping sensitive African data within Africa’s borders and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Masiyiwa explained that the project was inspired by a challenge from Aliko Dangote and Olusegun Obasanjo to pursue ambitious, transformative projects. “If Aliko can raise $19 billion [for his refinery], surely I should be able to raise a few billion dollars to get AI Compute started in Africa,” Masiyiwa recalled thinking.

This collaboration positions Africa not merely as a consumer of global AI, but as a developer and exporter of indigenous AI solutions, thereby accelerating its role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

AFROBEATS TITANS COLLIDE: Wizkid and Asake Spotted at Apple Music Studios Fueling Collaboration Rumors

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AFROBEATS TITANS COLLIDE: Wizkid and Asake Spotted at Apple Music Studios Fueling Collaboration Rumors

LOS ANGELES—The Afrobeats world is buzzing with anticipation following confirmation of a joint project between two of Nigeria’s most streamed and globally influential artists: Wizkid and Asake.

The two superstars were recently spotted together at the prestigious Apple Music Studios in London

Shutterstock

, giving fans the first visual confirmation of their highly anticipated collaboration.

Unveiling the Studio Session

Images and short clips from the studio session quickly circulated across social media platforms late last night, showing the two artists interacting closely with engineers and producers.

  • Wizkid, known for his global fusion sound and melodic depth, was seen in the vocal booth.

  • Asake, whose unique blend of street-hop, Fuji, and Amapiano has dominated charts since 2022, was seen listening intently at the mixing console.

The brief glimpses provided to fans instantly ignited speculation about the project’s genre and potential release date, with early reactions focusing heavily on the explosive fusion of their distinct musical styles.

Setting the Stage for a Blockbuster

The pairing of these two artists is particularly significant:

  • Wizkid (Starboy): An established global icon who pioneered the Afrobeats sound on the international stage, consistently holding positions on global charts and selling out major arenas.

  • Asake (Mr. Money): The industry’s current powerhouse, whose back-to-back albums have set new streaming records and whose street-hop style has revitalized the Nigerian soundscape.

Their joint session suggests a major sonic shift for both. The energy captured in the room has already led listeners to anticipate a blockbuster single that could potentially challenge for the title of “African Song of the Year.”

While neither artist nor their respective labels (Starboy Entertainment and YBNL/Empire) have officially confirmed the title or release date, the use of Apple Music Studios suggests the collaboration is being prepared for a high-profile global launch.

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