Happy Monday, Choppers!
Buckle up, and get ready for the grind, especially if you are in a guantlet commute, like in Nairobi or Lagos. Take some deep breaths, think good thoughts, and grab the day by the balls.
TRENDING TOPICS
🏳️African Union Summit
The 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting had wide-ranging topics from security and conflict resolution, climate change, and the overarching theme of water stability.
The meeting also covered the leadership transfer as Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye was elected as the AU Chairperson for 2026.
BUSINESS
💎Diamond King💎
Angola is targeting a record 17 million carats in diamond production to become Africa's gemstone king by 2027. Currently, Botswana holds the crown, but this big push from Luanda has some serious momentum behind it.
The state-owned diamond miner Endiama is ramping up production, and the government is also considering a bid to purchase a stake in the De Beers corporation, to gain more market share in influence in the global diamond market.
Diamonds have lost their luster and appeal over the last several years, as many consumers are concerned about “blood diamonds” and the fact that the illusion that diamonds are inherently rare is being exposed.
FINANCE
🚘 GOCAB GETS A BAG💰
Getting financing for a car just got a bit easier in parts of Africa, since GOCAB secured $45 million in funding to scale it start up. The concept is simple, but groundbreaking. It gives average citizens access to vehicles and the financing needed to obtain them.
The company offers a “drive to own” model, which allows people to make payments towards their car or motorbike while they have full access to it. In most cases across the continent, you have to pay for your automobiles in full before driving them away. Let’s hope this model takes hold.
TECH
The Silicon Savannah & Beyond 🚀
The African tech ecosystem is starting 2026 with a "consolidation" mindset. It’s now about the "Super-App" survival of the fittest.
1. The Rise of the Super-Conglomerates - Analysts are predicting the formation of 3-4 pan-African "tech titans" by the end of this year. We’re seeing a massive wave of M&As (Mergers & Acquisitions) as well-funded platforms like Flutterwave (which recently acquired Mono) snap up specialized startups to bypass regulatory hurdles and own the entire payment stack.
2. AI Speaks Your Language - Google’s WAXAL speech technology is making headlines for its expansion into Hausa and Yoruba. This is good because AI won’t just sound like a Silicon Valley intern, but it will actually understand the nuances of African trade, dialogue, and culture.
3. Kenya’s Funding Flex - Nairobi is officially balling. Recent reports confirm Kenya led the continent with 50 major startup funding deals last year, reinforcing its position as the primary innovation hub for East Africa.
QUICK BITES
Hilda Baci: Three for Three 🏆 Nigeria’s culinary powerhouse just received her third Guinness World Record plaque. From the kitchen to a brand empire—consistency is the secret sauce.
The "Detty December" Hangover 🍹 Travel data from Lagos and Accra shows a 15% spike in return visitors for 2026. The "returnee" economy is no longer just a holiday trend; it's a permanent demographic shift. I hope you saw our video about Detty December.
Lagos Real Estate 🏗️ Eko Atlantic is seeing its first "digital nomad" hubs opening up. If you've got the bandwidth (and the rent), the view is unmatched.
DISH OF THE DAY
Coconut Rice🍛
I won’t lie. I almost like coconut rice as much as jollof rice. I know that is a bold statement. But, coconut rice is so rich and flavourful, the hint of coconut married with spices, meat, and veggies, is such a great combination. And speaking of combinations, I have been known to mix my jollof with my coconut rice. Don’t judge me, please.
DID YOU KNOW? Africa accounts for 60-70% of global diamond production.
