Top Story
Welcome to 2019: Meet the African Country Entering a New Year TodayHappy celebration to Ethiopia as the country welcomes 2019 today, with 13 months, a September New Year and a calendar shaped by centuries of history.
By Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi•2 days agoLocal
Watch
Why Trump Wants Back Into the Sahel After the U.S. Walked Away 🇺🇸🌍 #zealnewsafrica
Today
Get ZealNews Daily
Africa's top business & policy news, in just 5 minutes
Top Stories
News
Welcome to 2019: Meet the African Country Entering a New Year Today
Happy celebration to Ethiopia as the country welcomes 2019 today, with 13 months, a September New Year and a calendar shaped by centuries of history.
Read More ( 3 min. read)→
ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMIEgypt is building its first sovereign AI data centre with Vodafone, Cassava and NVIDIA technology. The project highlights Egypt’s AI infrastructure, data sovereignty, local computing capacity, and race to become an African AI hub
Apple's first foldable, the $1,999 iPhone Duo, barely launched before Samsung, Duolingo and Motorola turned it into an online pile-on. What the trolling reveals about the real Apple-Samsung rivalry and which phone actually wins your money.
Prominent AI industry leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and former researcher Jacob Coxon, are urgently calling for a slowdown in AI development. Citing significant risks from "superintelligent" systems, they warn against the rapid, unchecked pursuit of advanced AI, emphasizing the need for greater prudence and a measured pace to mitigate potential dangers.
Hon. Faith Munthali, Mafinga South MP, has been arrested and charged by Zambia Police for being armed in public and conspiracy to commit a felony, just days after being sworn in. The charges stem from allegations of her being in the company of armed men causing public fear. Civil society organizations like NGOCC have expressed deep concern, citing a worrying pattern of intimidation against opposition and female leaders.
Business
Nigeria Is Returning to Frontier Market Status, and Almost Every Nigerian Needs to Know About It
Nigeria is returning to Frontier Market status after three years outside FTSE Russell’s classification, with six Nigerian stocks entering the FTSE Frontier 50 Index as the NGX rallies in 2026.
Read More ( 4 min. read)→
PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
Coinbase Unleashes 'Pulse Mode' and Wallet Upgrade, CEO Touts Innovation
Coinbase has rebranded its Base App to "Coinbase Wallet" and introduced the new "Pulse Mode" feature. This strategic update aims to simplify and enhance perpetual futures trading directly within the mobile app, thereby attracting more users to its robust cryptocurrency ecosystem and strengthening its global presence.David Isong
Africa Doesn't Have China's Structural Advantages. What Can It Learn From Its Energy Transition?
Africa cannot replicate China's financial firepower or political system, but it can adapt what made its energy transition work — better infrastructure coordination, smarter public finance, greater scale, policy consistency and faster project executionAdedoyin Oluwadarasimi
$100 Oil Could Boost Nigeria's Revenue. What Will It Cost Nigerians?
Nigeria could earn more from $100 oil, but higher crude prices could also mean rising petrol, transport, diesel and food costs for Nigerians.Zainab Bakare
Nigeria Moves to Digitise NYSC Records to Fight Certificate Fraud
NYSC certificate fraud is becoming harder to hide as the Federal Government moves to digitally connect education records and verify graduates.Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
Technology
If AI Can Write, Draw, Code and Think With You, What Exactly Are Humans Supposed to Be Good At?
AI can now write, draw and code. As machines become better at creating, what happens to the value of human creativity, judgment, taste and experience?
Read More ( 6 min. read)→
OWOBU MAUREEN
Anthropic's Frontier Ambition: CEO Unveils Vision for AI Future
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has proposed a three-pronged strategy to pace AI development, emphasizing embedded third-party evaluators, coordinated safety standards among democratic nations, and global cooperation. This initiative comes amidst heightened concerns from AI researchers about the technology's rapid advancement and potential dangers. Amodei underscores the need for careful, deliberate development to ensure AI's benefits are realized safely.Uche Emeka
Autonomous Racing Crash Highlights Self-Driving Tech's Steep Learning Curve
A dramatic crash at the A2RL race in Imola, caused by a split-second hardware failure, highlighted the ongoing challenges in autonomous racing, despite significant advancements. The incident at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend underscored the complexities faced by self-driving race cars, even as they show impressive progress against human drivers like Daniil Kvyat.Uche Emeka
Nigeria Is One of the World's Biggest AI Users. But Where Is the Economic Value?
Nigeria has one of the world's highest AI adoption rates, but widespread usage has yet to translate into enough local jobs, businesses, exports and economic value.Zainab Bakare
What Happens When AI Finally Starts Speaking Africa’s Languages Properly?
What happens when AI finally understands Africa properly? Mansa is starting with 30 languages, but its founder wants to push that number all the way to 1,000.Owobu Maureen
Discovery
African Fashion Has a Diaspora Market. Why Is It So Hard to Reach?
African fashion is reaching diaspora shoppers, but shipping, payments, returns and other cross-border hurdles can still turn interest into a missed sale.
Read More ( 3 min. read)→ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMI
The Osu Caste System of Eastern Nigeria and the Story Behind It
The Osu caste system was an old social practice in parts of Igboland involving dedication to deities and inherited social status. Learn its origins, history, and place in Nigeria today.Precious O. Unusere
Moremi Ajasoro: The History of the Yoruba Queen Who Became a Symbol of Sacrifice and Courage
She walked into the hands of the people attacking Ile-Ife, lived among them and returned with their secret. This is the story of Moremi Ajasoro and the sacrifice that followed.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
Spotlight on Africa: 10 Powerful West African Kingdoms and Empires History Remembers
From Mali and Songhai to Benin and Oyo, these 10 powerful West African empires shaped trade, warfare, politics, scholarship, and culture long before colonial rule.Precious O. Unusere
From Telephone to Touchscreen: Could See-Through Phones Be What Comes Next?
From landlines to smartphones, phones have changed dramatically. But what if the next phone is one you can actually see through?Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
Opinion
They Say Knowledge Is Power, But Is It Really?
They say knowledge is power. But what if knowing the answer means nothing unless you can actually use it?
Read More ( 4 min. read)→
OGOCHUKWU MAGDALENE OBIA
The War on Poverty is on Pause: What Tinubu’s Reforms Really Mean for the Average Nigerian
President Tinubu’s bold economic reforms promised long-term growth, but for many Nigerians, they’ve brought deeper poverty and hardship. Here’s what the reforms really mean for the average citizenzainab bakare
OPINION: Should Education Be Free To All?
This in-depth analysis examines the promise and pitfalls of tuition-free learning, from breaking cycles of poverty to fears of declining quality. With examples from Finland to sub-Saharan Africa, it explores how nations can balance equity, funding, and excellence in an age where knowledge is the key to progress.Eric Namso
Should Nigeria Adopt a Four-Day Work Week?
As countries experiment with shorter work weeks, Nigeria faces a pressing question: could a four-day schedule ease burnout, boost productivity, and reshape work culture—or would it clash with our unique economic realities?zainab bakare
How Remembering Ancestors Shapes Moral Philosophy
By reflecting on the lives of those who came before us—their virtues, mistakes, and choices—we uncover a deeper, more personal foundation for understanding right and wrong.Ibukun Oluwa
Lifestyle
Fashionlore: Why Do Babban Riga and Agbada Look Similar?
Why do Babban Riga and Agbada look so similar? Trace their shared trans-Saharan roots, Islamic influence and the history that shaped these iconic West African garments.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→
ZAINAB BAKARE
5 Reasons Why You Always Feel Tired No Matter How Long You Sleep
You slept for 8 hours but still wake up exhausted? Here are 5 reasons you may feel tired all day, from poor sleep quality to stress and hidden health issues.Owobu Maureen
The Pharmacy Has Become Our First Stop for Healthcare. Should It Be So?
Nigeria's pharmacies and chemist stores have made healthcare more accessible, but growing reliance on self-medication raises questions about diagnosis, medicine safety, and health education.Precious O. Unusere
Kruger National Park's 2026 Rebirth: A Post-Flood Safari Adventure
October offers a dynamic safari experience in Kruger National Park, marked by a stunning transition from dry winter to lush summer landscapes. Visitors can expect excellent wildlife viewing, particularly of the Big Five, alongside ongoing flood recovery efforts, making flexible planning essential for an immersive adventure.Precious Eseaye
Lagos Fashion Week: Unveiling Future Trends for Global Travelers
A new blueprint for regenerative fashion is set to transform Africa's fashion industry, leveraging traditions of repair and reuse to create a modern industrial strategy. Launched by the African Fashion Coalition at Lagos Fashion Week, this initiative aims to keep economic value within the continent and foster sustainable practices rooted in cultural heritage. It seeks to move Africa beyond raw material supply to lead a global movement valuing restoration and community empowerment.Precious Eseaye
Entertainment
When Fuji Becomes Trap: Are We Preserving Nigerian Music or Repackaging It?
Fuji is being reshaped with trap beats for a new generation, but does this musical reinvention preserve its heritage or strip the culture from the sound?
Read More ( 5 min. read)→ZAINAB BAKARE
Agbara Nla: The Return Could Be Nollywood's Biggest Nostalgia Test of 2026
Agbara Nla: The Return brings Mount Zion's 1993 classic to cinemas in 2026, testing whether nostalgia, faith-based storytelling and a new generation can revive a Nollywood icon.Zainab Bakare
Kenya's Ambitious Plan: Rebuilding Cotton Industry From Field To Fabric
Kenya's cotton and textile industry is experiencing a significant revival, connecting farmers in coastal regions like Mpeketoni with integrated manufacturers such as Thika Cloth Mills. This initiative aims to boost local production and create jobs, though challenges in supply, quality, and market access persist. The government's strategic policies are guiding efforts to rebuild a sustainable farm-to-fashion value chain.Precious Eseaye
Venice Crowned: 'Woman Unknown' Blazes Golden Lion Trail, Jury Declares 'Laser Beam' Impact!
The Venice Film Festival concluded with May El-Toukhy's "Woman Unknown" securing the Golden Lion, and John Malkovich earning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor. Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal addressed the emphasis on female directors, stressing merit-based selections. The festival also honored late producer Jeremy Thomas and recognized the powerful documentary "NAZA."Precious Eseaye
Saturday Night Live UK Unlocks the Secret: Mastering SNL's Core Formula
Saturday Night Live UK returns for its highly anticipated second season. This season promises an in-depth exploration of the dynamic behind-the-scenes processes that make this groundbreaking show possible.Precious Eseaye