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Kwesé TV Brings ESPN Back to Africa, Launches Exclusive New Sports Channel

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Econet Media’s Kwesé Sports and ESPN on Wednesday launched the exclusive ESPN channel on the Kwesé TV bouquet.

The collaboration with Africa’s emerging home of premium sports marks the much anticipated return of ESPN to the African continent.

The channel comes after the announcement of the game-changing long-term agreement between the two sports broadcasting powerhouses which confirmed Kwesé Sports as the home of ESPN in Africa.

The channel will deliver the most comprehensive sports coverage on the continent bringing the best in sports to African fans through live coverage of events from across the globe. Along with live sports, the channel introduces unique original programming including an African edition of the popular SportsCenter programme, an iconic and hugely popular show with fans across the world.

Hosted by ESPN’s Philip Murphy, SportsCenter will cover the latest in sports news, highlights and updates in its signature fast-paced format, which has made it one of the most loved and awarded shows in television.

Since it launched in 2016, Kwesé Sports has continued to shake up the sports broadcasting industry with its unique offering that already boasts an impressive line-up which includes some of the best in American sports, including the NFL, NHL and the NBA. Through this collaboration with the global leader in sports media, Kwesé will exclusively bring thousands of hours of programming to audiences in 19 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

The channel aims to be the first choice for fans wanting the latest news and updates and promises a diverse programming schedule designed to appeal to even the most discerning sports fan. The exciting launch programming for March includes; March Madness which tips off on the 15th, X Games action live from Norway, Indy Car 2017 and AFL.

In addition to launching the ESPN channel, Kwesé and ESPN will launch an African edition of the ESPN website and mobile app later this year. Leveraging ESPN’s position as the world’s leading digital sports brand and Kwesé’s pan-African reach and TV everywhere multiplatform distribution, these digital destinations will keep sports fans up-to-date with access to news, scores, features, video, live games and matches wherever they are — putting the best in international sports in their pocket! KweseESPN.com and the new KweseESPN app, coupled with the Kwesé TV Everywhere App, will give its viewers 24/7 access to all the latest in sports from across the globe in a way that has never existed for African sports fans.

Commenting on the launch, Joseph Hundah, president and CEO of Econet Media said “This is a real game changer. In ESPN we have a collaborator that enhances our offering to our viewers. We have always aimed to deliver premium sports programming and we continue to bring the best to our sports fans, through our acquisitions of top-shelf sports rights and our investment in our platforms and in how we deliver our programming whether through Pay-Tv, Free-to-air or digital mobile platforms. The launch of this channel is significant as it cements our place as a leading provider of sports programming in Africa”.

Russell Wolff, executive vice president and managing director, ESPN International, said, “We are thrilled to be working with a fellow innovator like Econet to bring ESPN and SportsCenter back to television screens in Africa and expanding the Kwesé and ESPN digital connection with fans. This launch is just the beginning of how these two great companies will serve fans Africa.”

African viewers can look forward to thousands of hours of ESPN content which will be licensed to Kwesé. Including both live sports and award-winning original programming, the content will appear across the ESPN and Kwesé Sport channels.

Post launch programming schedule for March includes exclusive broadcast of:

March Madness
With the regular season out of the way 68 teams will bid to be crowned NCAA Basketball Champions. Starting 15 March, the month of March will see teams whittled down through the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and Final 4 until a Championship which will be broadcast on April 4!

X Games – Norway
The event takes place in Lillehammer, Norway and features some of the greatest freestyle skiers and snowboarders of our time.

The world class action sports action and commentary showcases the skills of many of the world’s top winter sports athletes in front of huge crowds, creating a fantastic viewing experience.

Indy Car 2017
The Grand Prix of St Petersburg is the first of 17 stops on this year’s Indy Car Calendar. Frenchman Simon Pagenaud will be out to defend his driver’s championship, as they tackle the street circuit on March 12.

AFL
Thanks to ESPN, Aussie Rules football is back with a bang as the season opens on March 23rd with matches taking place in iconic venues like the MCG in Melbourne. Eighteen teams go in pursuit of a place in the Grand Final and the chance to take home the title on September 30.

Original Programming
In addition to the original Sports Center programme, the channel will include ESPN Films Award-Winning 30 For 30 documentaries, and a range of additional studio programming such as ESPN FC, Pardon The Interruption, Around The Horn, College Game day and more. Kwesé also already licenses NFL-related programming – including NFL Live, NFL Countdown and more – from ESPN, as part of a TV rights deal with the NFL, brokered by ESPN Media Distribution

Kwesé also features coverage of the Premier League, Formula One, Cricket Australia, Aviva Premiership Rugby, The Spanish Copa Del Rey, Brazilian football, Extreme Fighting Championship and so much more.


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VFD Group Proposes SplitXchange for Financing Nigeria’s Creative Industry

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VFD Group Plc has proposed the introduction of a specialized Exchange that would address the issue of financing in Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries to bolster foreign exchange earnings and economic development.

Folagbade Adeyemi, the Managing Director of Splitar Limited,  stated this while speaking at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) quarterly Forum, sponsored by VFD Group Plc.

Adeyemi revealed that the Group is actively pursuing an exchange platform tailored to the media and entertainment sector, offering diverse investment opportunities for both domestic and international investors.

Currently in its development stage, SplitXchange when launched, would offer a platform for financing the media and entertainment industry, among other alternative assets.

According to him, “Seeing the huge potential in alternative assets, Splitar Holdings, through Split Exchange, would drive the alternative assets space with its revolutionary digital exchange.”

He emphasized the potential of this sector to significantly improve the GDP of the country and called for a collaborative approach towards establishing robust frameworks and clear guidelines to support investment in alternative assets leveraging technology.

“Unless we collaboratively set up institutions that can provide data around these asset classes and place a true value on these asset creators to make seeking finance a lot easier, we will not see significant returns.

“A lot of transactions have been ongoing within that space which are not captured within the country’s value chain. That is what SplitXchange seeks to address.”

With Nigeria’s estimated population at 208.8 million people, Adeyemi highlighted the increasing demand for Nigerian content locally and on a global scale.

Speaking on the theme: “Beyond Tradition: Increasing Relevance of Alternative Assets in the Capital Market,” Adeyemi lamented the absence of robust funding pillars in the country.

He emphasized the potential of Entertainment and Media, noting that globally there is an average market size of $41 billion as of 2021 with an estimated growth of 4.2 per cent.

While pointing out investments by Netflix and Amazon, which have churned out blockbuster movies that have gained viewership and streams across the globe, he noted that Nigeria’s biggest investor in the form of Pension Assets was yet to invest in the entertainment or streaming services.

He stressed the need to solve the problems of liquidity, efficiency, and barriers to entry in the country.

“In today’s market, the quick conversion of assets into cash is a challenge due to the absence of a well-structured marketplace that oversees and regulates these assets.

“The automation of processes such as compliance, escrow account management, dividend distribution, corporate action management, and drag-along actions technology presents a significant challenge in today’s alternative market. The high initial cost of assets in this market restricts participation to only affluent individuals and corporate investors,” he said.

He noted that the sector remains excluded from the organized financial sector due to the inability of intermediaries to recognize Intellectual Property (IP) as suitable collateral to access funding. “Projects are financed informally through a network of angel investors, high net worth individuals, non-governmental organizations, government, and personal savings,” Adeyemi said.

Furthermore, he pointed out that investors and asset creators face challenges when seeking investment opportunities or raising capital through traditional financial avenues.

“Traditional financial institutions are ill-equipped to appraise industry opportunities due to poor visibility, data, and income/revenue leakages leading to mispricing through high-interest rates, market illiquidity of associated securities, poor market depth, and lack of accessibility for retail investors,” he said.


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Konga Travel Commences Canadian Visa Services for Professionals and Students

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Konga Travels and Tours, a leading provider of travel services in Nigeria is pleased to announce the launch of its Canadian visa assistance services through strategic partnership with a licensed Canadian immigration company.

Konga Travels is now equipped and in a vantage position to assist clients in realizing their relocation dreams.

The new Canadian visa services cater to the travel needs of diverse category of individuals including students, workers, professionals, and investors looking for new opportunities in Canada.

Applicants can get exclusive packages on business immigration, study in Canada, work permits, as well as visit and tourist visa services with the professional assistance of Konga Travels and Tours.

The Business Immigration visa is tailored to investors interested in conducting business activities in Canada with a pathway to permanent residency. The Study in Canada visa service caters to students aspiring to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies in foreign institutions renowned for their academic excellence and global recognition.

Okezie Akaniro, Senior Vice President of Konga Online Limited expressed excitement about the expansion of the company’s service portfolio saying “We are thrilled to introduce Canadian visa assistance services to our esteemed clients because we understand the aspirations of Nigerians seeking to pursue educational, professional, or business opportunities in Canada.

“This partnership underscores Konga Travels’ commitment to providing holistic travel solutions that meet the diverse needs of our customers, with our expertise and strategic collaboration, we aim to simplify the Canadian immigration process and help individuals achieve their aspirations of studying, working, or investing in Canada,” he stated.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new service, Abiola Bakare, Business Head of Konga Travels and Tours posited, “At Konga Travels, we continuously seek ways to enhance the travel experiences of our customers.

“The introduction of Canadian visa assistance services aligns with our goal of providing end-to-end solutions and simplifying the travel process for our clients.”

Konga Travels and Tours goes beyond processing visa applications. As part of its suite of services, Konga Travels offers flight booking, hotel reservations, and tour packages. Recently, Konga Travels and Tours further enhanced its offerings by partnering with Coronation Insurance to provide comprehensive travel insurance solutions.

For further inquiries, customers are encouraged to contact Konga Travels through any of the official customer touchpoints provided here:

Phone Call: +234 809 460 5555; 0708 063 5700

WhatsApp: +234 (0) 811 211 4488

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Konga Travel

Instagram: @kongatravel


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5 Strategies to Prevent Payment Delays from Hurting Your Business

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Payment delays pose significant challenges for businesses across Africa. Maintaining a steady cash flow is essential for business growth and sustainability, making it crucial to address late or non-payments from customers.

So, how can SMEs effectively prevent payment delays? Let’s explore five actionable strategies to keep revenue flowing smoothly.

Streamline Payment Processes
Smoother payment experiences lead to prompt payments. Simplifying the payment process for customers by offering multiple payment options enhances convenience and reduces the likelihood of delays. It is important to note that collaborating with a reliable payment gateway is fundamental in achieving seamless transactions.

Embrace Subscription Models

Adopting a subscription-based payment model ensures consistent cash flow and predictability in revenue streams. SeerBit has innovative features, such as partial debits and automatic retries which fortify this model, ensuring uninterrupted revenue even amidst payment hiccups.

Digitize Invoicing

Transitioning from paper-based to digital invoicing eliminates delays caused by delivery hiccups, while also minimizing the risk of lost documents. Digital invoicing not only streamlines payment tracking, but also enhances operational efficiency.

Implement Incentives and Penalties

Introducing incentives for early payments and penalties for late payments encourages timely settlements. Customers are motivated to pay promptly to capitalize on discounts and other special deals, while the prospect of additional charges or sanctions deters delays. Reminder notifications serve as gentle nudges, prompting customers to fulfil their payment obligations promptly.

Proactive Payment Management

Partnering with SeerBit empowers businesses to proactively manage payment collections. With a robust payment gateway offering seamless transactions, recurring payment capabilities and digital invoicing services, businesses can effectively mitigate the risks associated with payment delays.

Conclusion

Preventing payment delays is critical for sustaining business operations and fostering growth. The World Bank predicts that late payments cost the global economy over $40billion every year. By implementing these strategies and leveraging the capabilities of SeerBit, businesses can optimize their payment processes, ensuring uninterrupted cash flow and significant long-term success.


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