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3 Trends in Africa’s Crypto Sector to Expect in 2022

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For the global cryptocurrency industry, 2021 is likely to be remembered as one of the many years bitcoin broke past its all-time price high and drove the sector even closer towards mainstream adoption. However, from a regional perspective, it is also arguably the year where Africa took centre stage.

From a reported 1,200% surge in crypto adoption, the launch of Africa’s first central bank digital currency and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s circular on cryptocurrencies, it is hard to navigate any of the key conversations surrounding the sector without referencing activities on the continent.

As we kick off the new year, Marius Reitz, Luno’s General Manager for Africa, explores three key trends to expect on the continent throughout the year:

Rethinking Regulation

To describe regulation of Africa’s crypto sector in 2021 as eventful would be an understatement. Last year saw the continent’s major economies take a much more proactive stance on consumer protection with one strategy in particular grabbing attention – the introduction of blanket bans. For countries that adopted these measures, the results have been far from ideal with trading activity being pushed underground and regulators left with a reduced level of visibility of the sector.

With this in mind, we could see a greater openness amongst regulators to work alongside industry players to establish a more robust and effective framework, which could encourage other African countries to follow suit.

As we’ve witnessed from China, blanket bans do little in terms of limiting trading activity and protecting consumers but engaging experts who understand the nuances of new and complex technology like cryptocurrencies can provide a huge amount of value on how to protect consumers from its risks.

Kenya’s emergence

With Nigeria’s crypto ban dominating headlines throughout 2021, one significant development on the continent which potentially slipped under the radar was Kenya’s ranking as the world’s leader in P2P trading volumes for the second consecutive year.

The country’s crypto industry is booming with a rapidly emerging crop of companies building blockchain-based solutions and considering its young population, high levels of mobile connectivity and familiarity with digital payment solutions like mobile money, it’s firmly positioned to emerge as East Africa’s leading crypto hub in 2022.

However, in order for any significant inroads to be made in terms of mainstream adoption, the importance of widespread crypto education can’t be understated.

According to Luno’s 2021 consumer research survey, 64% of Kenyans don’t invest in cryptocurrencies as they don’t simply understand them and given Kenyans were also found to be the most proactive in seeking out financial advice from traditional sources (i.e. financial services companies, publications and advisors) before making investment decisions, it is vital crypto firms go the extra mile to ensure the right information is readily available.

A new solution to Africa’s remittances problem

It is no secret that investments are currently the most prevalent use case for cryptocurrencies across Africa however, one area which could receive a major boost this year is remittances.

According to the World Bank, total remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa alone broke past $45bn in 2021 but with the severe lack of foreign currency reserves across Africa stopping companies from receiving international payments and remitting their profits, many businesses could look towards cryptocurrencies as an alternative means of handling cross-border transactions.

The key strength of cryptocurrencies in this area lies in the open and decentralized blockchain networks that support them, which allow money to be easily transferred between parties without all the lag times and exorbitant fees no matter who or where they are.

Similar to most aspects of the crypto industry, progress in this area will be heavily dependent on a favourable regulatory climate and should this materialize, cryptocurrencies could emerge as a major asset for companies with extensive operations throughout Africa.

Expect the unexpected

Despite the huge influence developments in the three categories mentioned will have over the course of the next year, they are by no means the only trends to keep an eye on.

For example, attracting institutional investment into Africa’s crypto space is still a major problem; however, we could see more mature markets on the continent like South Africa introduce stronger regulatory frameworks to encourage more participation from these stakeholders.

Equally, as the sector grows in popularity, it is attracting world-class talent as well as attention from leading media outlets who are dedicating more resources to quality reporting and both of these are trends that we should expect to continue.

However, if we have learnt anything from events over the last two years, we should also expect the unexpected and whilst this can often breed uncertainty, a quick look at Africa’s current position and prospects should still provide huge optimism that it remains the most promising region for the adoption of cryptocurrencies.


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E-Financial

Africa Prudential Launches Sabivest to Boost Digital Investment Access

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Africa Prudential Plc has launched Sabivest, a digital shareholder and investment management application, as part of efforts to deepen access to investment opportunities and enhance transparency in Nigeria’s capital market.

Unveiled in Lagos, the platform is designed to provide investors with a centralised system for managing shareholdings and tracking portfolio performance across multiple investment products.

At the launch, the Chairperson of Africa Prudential Plc, Christabel Onyejekwe, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging innovation to improve investor experience and participation.

“Sabivest provides a unified ecosystem that enables individuals and institutions to seamlessly access, monitor and grow diversified financial assets through a single interface,” she said, describing the platform as a significant step in advancing digital transformation within the capital market.

The Managing Director, Catherine Nwosu, noted that the application, which is available for download on both iOS and Android platforms, was developed to address structural challenges that have continued to limit investor efficiency, including fragmented investment accounts, restricted access to diverse financial instruments, and inadequate visibility into portfolio performance.

According to her, the platform aggregates multiple investment services, offering users real-time insights and control through a centralised dashboard.

She added that Sabivest features consolidated portfolio views, performance tracking, asset allocation insights, and electronic dividend management, alongside tools for monitoring, documenting, and recovering unclaimed dividends.

The launch also featured a roundtable session themed, “Building Trust and Driving Innovation in Nigeria’s Capital Market,” where stakeholders emphasised the importance of technology-driven solutions in strengthening investor confidence and expanding market participation.


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Transcorp Excites Shareholders with ₦20.3 Billion Dividend @20th AGM

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Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp Group” or the “Company”) (NGX: TRANSCORP), Africa’s leading listed conglomerate with strategic investments in power, hospitality and energy, has declared a total dividend of ₦20,323,995,148, representing ₦2.00 per share to its shareholders, at its 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the new state-of-the-art Transcorp Centre Abuja.

Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR; President/Group CEO,, Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON; and Company Secretary, Ms. Atinuke Kolade, during the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Transnational Corporation Plc( Transcorp Group) held in Abuja at the weekend

The total dividend comprises an interim dividend payment of ₦4,064,799.030, representing 40 kobo per share, paid in August 2025, together with a final dividend of ₦16,259,196,118, equivalent to ₦1.60 per share.

At the AGM, where the shareholders approved the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Group Chairman of Transcorp Plc, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, restated the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable long-term value creation as shareholders commended the conglomerate and its management for sustained performance.

In 2025, the Group, with a combined market capitalisation of ₦4.78 trillion ($3.52 billion) as of May 7, 2026, recorded strong year-on-year growth across all key metrics. Revenue increased by 33% to ₦544 billion (FY 2024: ₦408 billion). Profit Before Tax rose 31% to ₦179.5 billion (FY 2024: ₦136.7 billion), while Profit After Tax surged 44% to ₦135.9 billion (FY 2024: ₦94.1 billion)

Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR; President/Group CEO,, Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON; and Company Secretary, Ms. Atinuke Kolade, during the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Transnational Corporation Plc( Transcorp Group) held in Abuja at the weekend

Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Group Chairman, Transnational Corporation Plc said: “Transcorp Group remains firmly focused on strong corporate governance and the disciplined execution of its strategic priorities to deliver sustainable, long-term value. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the Group continues to benefit from its diversified portfolio, which has underpinned resilient financial performance in 2025.

Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON, President/Group CEO, Transnational Corporation Plc said: “FY 2025 was a year defined by disciplined execution, strategic resolve, and resilient performance. Transcorp Group is committed to resolving the energy crisis in Nigeria; we have an energy situation, and the gap between the demand and supply is still very wide. Hence, we will continue to work assiduously and tirelessly towards bridging that gap, creating value for the wider country.

In our hospitality business, the 5,000-seat capacity Transcorp Centre hosting us today is a testament to our disciplined execution, and you will see more in the coming years.

While commenting on the performance, one of the shareholders, Mrs E. O. Obideyi, commended the management of Transcorp Group, saying, “I commend the management and staff of Transcorp for sustained performance year-on-year. While we appreciate the Board, I am also extending my commendation to the members of staff of Transcorp for a job well done.”

Another Shareholder, Mr Moses Igrude, commended the Board, Management and Staff of Transcorp Plc. He said: “I appreciate the vision behind Transcorp and what it has become. When I look at the history, and how far it has come under Mr Tony Elumelu’s leadership, I am proud that the aim and objectives are being achieved. That payoff line, ‘Improving lives and transforming Africa,’ is a reality we are witnessing.

Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) is one of Africa’s leading listed conglomerates, with strategic investments in power, hospitality and energy, driven by its mission to improve lives and transform Africa.

The Group’s power businesses — Transcorp Power Plc and Transafam Power — provide over 20% of Nigeria’s installed power capacity. Transcorp is also advancing Nigeria’s domestic energy value chain through its investment in OPL281. Its hospitality subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels Plc, owns the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the landmark Transcorp Centre Abuja.


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IMF Fears AI-Powered Cyberattack Could Spark Global Financial Crisis

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly increasing the danger of cyberattacks on the global financial system.

IMF Fears AI-Powered Cyberattack Could Spark Global Financial Crisis

Pic credit… saturnpartners

According to a blog post from the IMF, these AI-driven threats could turn isolated security breaches into severe economic disruptions, potentially freezing payments, shaking markets, and undermining public trust in banks worldwide.

In its analysis, the fund highlighted a specific example involving the controlled release of an advanced AI model called Claude Mythos Preview by Anthropic.

The IMF noted that this model demonstrated the ability to identify and exploit weaknesses in all major operating systems and web browsers, even when used by individuals without specialized expertise.

The IMF cautioned that AI could heighten risk concentration within the financial system.

A single exploited vulnerability might cascade across numerous institutions simultaneously due to heavy reliance on a limited number of cloud providers, software platforms, and AI models.

Such events could escalate from operational issues to macro-financial shocks, triggering confidence crises, liquidity problems, and fire-sale dynamics in markets. The organization also acknowledged that AI forms part of the solution.

As attackers operate at machine speed, financial institutions are deploying their own AI-assisted tools for threat detection, fraud prevention, and faster incident response.

The IMF highlighted a geopolitical dimension to the threat, noting that cyber risk crosses national borders and that inconsistent oversight among countries could weaken the globally interconnected financial system.

Emerging economies, often with limited resources, may face disproportionate exposure.

The fund urged policymakers to treat cybersecurity as a core financial stability concern rather than a technical or operational matter.

It called for prioritization of resilience standards, systemic supervision, and international coordination to contain breaches before they spread.


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