News
MultiChoice, HiTV Open War Chests for EPL Rights

Brace up for war! An epic battle for broadcast rights to the English Premier League (EPL) looms between the two major pay-TV operators in Nigeria – MultiChoice Nigeria, operators of DStv, and HiTV; now positioning themselves for lion shares of the rights for African continent, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now reveal.
The EPL broadcast rights are currently divided between three pay-TV operators within the four African territories – with North Africa going to ShowTime Arabia, Nigeria going to HiTV, South Africa and the rest of Africa going to MultiChoice’s DStv.
Whoever wins the rights to air majority of the matches this time, will also win the hearts of most Nigerians crazy for the English Premier League.
In the about to end 2008/2009 season, HiTV has 80 percent of Premier League coverage in Nigeria, while MultiChoice owns rights to the other 20 percent.
The rights to majority of the live matches in the premiership are instant payoff for HiTV with a subscriber base of over 200,000 and growing. It is today one of Africa’s fastest growing direct-to-home (DTH)/pay-TV platform.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the growth was also bolstered by the company’s subscription package priced within the reach of all classes of consumers.
Elsewhere, MultiChoice with just 20 per cent of live matches maintained its leadership of the local market with an avalanche of programmes being delivered under various service bouquets.
With another round of rights licensing around the corner, both major operators have now realized the potentials and power of EPL on subscribers and the growth of their operations, and are sparing no efforts for the majority rights.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered HiTV is pulling 11 other pay-TV operators in Africa in a consortium to acquire the broadcast rights to EPL. They are Yes TV, Star TV, Total Access, Skyy Media, Kiss FM, Zuku TV, VOX Africa, Next Generation Broadcasting, Imanle Africa, and several former GTV representatives.
The move will spearhead the development of a continent-wide technology and content backbone to allow individual countries in Africa to develop their own independent broadcasting market and tailor their solution (cost, content, language) to meet the demands of regional viewers.
Toyin Subair, managing director and CEO of HiTV, says: “The English Premier League draws more African viewers than any other genre of programming.”
MultiChoice however, is counting on its rich experience and tradition of excellent programming, and is going into the bid with the financial muscle of its South African based mother company.
Joseph Hundah, managing director, MultiChoice Nigeria, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek in an interview that they would not rest until they regain the broadcast rights to EPL.
“We are going to bid for EPL rights as high as we possibly could. It is always regretful to lose any content you have, and we are certainly not going to leave any stone unturned in acquiring those rights back,” he said.
News
CAC Flags Three Companies, Warns Nigerians

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has warned Nigerians against transacting with three fake Nigerian firms, citing fraudulent incorporation documents and registration numbers not issued by the commission.
According to the CAC, these companies are using fake certificates of incorporation with two different RC numbers each, none of which exist in the commission’s official records.
The affected companies are SPEF Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265884 and 512862, UPIL Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265837 and 553220, and PREM Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265844 and 545901.
The CAC warns that any Nigerian conducting business with these entities does so at their own risk.
“Anyone that transacts any business with the above-mentioned companies does so at their own risk,” the commission warned.
The commission further advised potential partners and investors to verify registration details directly through its official portal before signing contracts or making payments.
Similarly, the CAC, in a bid to enhance its services, introduced an AI-powered business registration platform on July 3, designed to streamline incorporations.
This new system offers instant name reservations, automated business-name suggestions, and same-day registration using a National Identification Number (NIN).
Additionally, the commission plans to review its service fees starting August 1, aiming to make its services more efficient and cost-effective.
News
AfDB to Introduce Systems Reforms to Prioritize Investing in Africa’s Youth

The African Development Bank, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, has launched a transformative system to mainstream youth employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship across its investments.
The approach, called the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System, is aligned with the Bank’s latest Ten-Year Strategy, which places Africa’s young people at the center of development efforts to maximize the impact of every dollar invested, turning demographics into a dividend.
The Marker System ensures that Bank projects spanning diverse sectors, such as agriculture, transport, energy, water, and education, systematically incorporate components that enhance youth employability, foster entrepreneurship, and build market-relevant skills.
“The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is about ensuring Africa’s young people have a real say and active role in building sustainable economies and creating jobs – not as passive recipients of youth programs,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “This transformation of Bank practices and systems is a step toward making sure our investments have a positive impact on Africa’s young women and men.”
The integrated system has three focus areas:
Youth: Supporting youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through targeted investments and operational integration.
Skills: Expanding access to practical, market-driven training and apprenticeships to enhance career prospects.
Jobs: Ensuring Bank-funded projects create sustainable job opportunities, particularly by developing youth skills for employability and the promotion of youth-led businesses in priority value chains.
Each year, around 10 to 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, which offers only three million formal jobs annually. The Bank will prioritize youth entrepreneurship and mobilize private sector partnerships to strengthen industry-oriented skills training as well as job creation over the coming decade.
“[This initiative] is very important because it allows us to significantly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #8 that includes decent work for all,” said Peter van Rooij, Director of Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation at the International Labour Organization. “It also allows the International Labour Organization to influence the Bank’s work, to support their lending that is more geared toward more job creation and better jobs in a sustainable way.”
The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is modeled on the success of the Bank’s Gender Marker System and its online dashboard, which categorize Bank projects based on their contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Similarly, the new system will feature an online platform enabling Bank staff and consultants to access real-time data for preparing country strategy papers, mid-term reviews, annual reports, project supervision, and reporting on youth-related skills, businesses and jobs outcomes.
The Bank has just launched a pilot version of the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System in readiness for the full implementation in 2026. This system will enhance data tracking, improve estimates of youth skills attainment and employment, strengthen labor market information systems, and support policymakers in making evidence-based decisions that drive meaningful change.
The International Labour Organization provided technical support for the system’s development with financial support from the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is the first deliberate action of its kind developed by a development finance institution worldwide.
News
SEC Probes Ponzi Scheme Linked to FF Tiffany

The Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed plans to commence investigation into the activities of an entity operating under FF Tiffany, allegedly running a fraudulent investment scheme that has defrauded citizens.
A statement by the SEC on Tuesday in Abuja said preliminary information revealed that the scheme, which promised investors unusually high and unrealistic returns, had resulted in the loss of several billions of naira.
The SEC said it viewed the activity as a threat to investor confidence and the overall integrity of the financial system.
The commission assured the public that it was working closely with law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies to bring everyone involved in the unlawful operation to justice.
According to SEC, those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Investment and Securities Act and regulatory provisions.
SEC reiterated its earlier warnings to the general public to desist from engaging in Ponzi or unregistered investment schemes that promised guaranteed or exaggerated returns.
“These schemes are not registered with the SEC and do not offer investor protection under the law.
“The commission is currently investigating 79 schemes and will make a statement on its findings at the conclusion of the investigation,” the SEC said.
The commission encouraged investors to conduct due diligence and verify the registration status of any investment firm or product by visiting the SEC website or contacting the commission directly through official channels.
SEC said it remained committed to its mandate of protecting investors, ensuring fair practices, and maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
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