Hello Venturer,
Ever imagined what the average gladiator’s life looked like? Every time he steps into the arena, he hears the crowd cheering him. With each win, he becomes more feared and respected. Everyone sees him as a battle hero. However, his heart rate is likely above the roof. He knows that no matter how many fights he won in the past, this one might be his last. Yet he fights with his heart in his mouth because it’s a kill-or-be-killed arena and the show must go on.
It’s the same way with modern capitalism. Every tech billionaire you see today had to shove over their competition to reach their peak. And they know that no matter how many times they’ve won competitors in the past, they’re not infallible.
That’s why the recent social media battle between Elon Musk’s Twitter and Mark Zuckerberg’s new app, Threads, is so intriguing. After 17 years of utter dominance over the microblogging space, Twitter is now forced into the Colosseum with Meta’s Threads and must figure out a way to come out alive.
This week, we explored the question on everyone’s mind: who will come out on top? Enjoy.
Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe
Staff Writer, Ventures Africa
What’s new?
Will Meta’s Threads rule over Twitter?
Meta's new app, Threads, is acquiring users at break-neck speed to overtake Twitter. Will it become the new boss of microblogging? Read more.
Why are Nigerians ditching their mobile subscriptions?
A decline in mobile subscriptions in Nigeria raises concerns for the telecom industry amid economic pressures and policy implications. Read more.
Nigeria wants to tax its market women and the informal sector. But at what cost?
Nigeria's tax culture has been far from praiseworthy. Will the VAT Direct Initiative, which aims to facilitate the collection of Value Added Taxes (VAT) from the informal sector, make a difference? Learn more.
Here are major economic steps taken by Bola Ahmed Tinubu since he became Nigeria’s president
Nigeria's economy is at a tipping point, requiring capable leadership to navigate it back towards a path of progress. And in less than two months, its president has taken several consequential decisions. Read more.
Zimbabwe has the world’s best-performing stock market in 2023
Zimbabwe runs a small-sized stock market with only $1.8 billion in total capitalization. But after an 800% rally, it became the world’s best-performing stock market. Learn more.
Does African education need re-rooting?
There have been looming conversations about the role of Africa's rich culture and history in its education system. Can it find a balance between tradition and modernity while it attempts to re-root education in Africa? Learn more.
My Pivot Journal: Taslim Okunola’s search for purpose led him to Google
Taslim Okunola started his career with random ventures from school politics to stand-up comedy. But one contact with Google changed everything. Read more.
Nigeria’s subsidy removal fuels transition to gas generators
After Nigeria removed fuel subsidies, Nigeria’s petrol consumption has been on a downtrend, with many turning to LPG as an alternative energy source. Read more.
Food prices surged in May and can go higher without targeted social welfare programs.
In its latest food prices watch, the National Bureau of Statistics says the cost of staple food items consumed by Nigerians daily has surged by double digits. Read more.
How inclusive is the fintech market in North Africa? - Interview with Basil Moftah
Tech's growth in Africa has been slower than most because the scales are tipped against certain demographics. This is why inclusion is more than a buzzword in Africa. Read more.
Riding the oil wave: Nigeria emerges as a leading oil drilling market in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria has caught up with Angola to also take the position of biggest drilling market this year, with a total of eight drilling campaigns confirmed offshore in both countries. Read more.
ICYMI: CBN’s new transaction limits, Palmpay’s rising numbers, and peace(keeping) ends in Mali
Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced new transaction caps for contactless payments, and Palmpay posted jaw-dropping numbers. Read more.
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