Author: Montage Africa

By Japhet Gana: Group Head, Transaction Risk & Financial Crimes, Yellow Card In the past decade, our financial systems have become more digitally interconnected than ever before. Convenience and speed now come with a price: financial crime. From sophisticated money-laundering networks to cyber-enabled fraud rings, criminal actors are exploiting gaps in regulation and oversight. As traditional finance evolves, so too have the methods and opportunities for abuse, and nowhere is this more evident than in the digital asset space. Cryptocurrency and other digital assets promised a more inclusive and efficient financial system. But without the right guardrails, innovation can inadvertently…

By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Burkina Faso’s former transitional president and the alleged mastermind behind a number coup plots has been arrested in Togo and expelled, local sources say. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba ousted Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in a 2022 coup. But eight months later, Damiba was himself overthrown by the military leader Ibrahim Traoré, who is still in power. Reports say Damiba was arrested in Lomé last week and tried for the attempted destabilisation of Burkina Faso. He was then taken to the airport, although his destination hasn’t been confirmed. Since going into exile in Togo, Damiba…

As the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 unfolded, TECNO, Official Global Partner of the tournament, was actively extending the matchday experience beyond stadiums and screens through a series of Technology Carnival activations and offline watching parties that took place across multiple African countries. Launched alongside the tournament and running throughout the AFCON competition period until 18 January 2026, these activations were designed as immersive, fan-first experiences that brought football, technology and entertainment together in public spaces, retail locations and pop-up venues. Across North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and key AFCON markets, fans gathered at TECNO-organized watching parties featuring live match screenings, interactive…

Traveling to Muslim-majority countries during Ramadan can be deeply rewarding if visitors understand its spiritual rhythm and cultural nuances. The holy month, which commemorates key moments in early Islamic history, centers on daylight fasting, prayer, and reflection, making daily life slower. While visitors are not expected to fast, public etiquette is key: always avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in front of those who are fasting, unless in designated tourist zones. Research local laws, as regulations on public dining vary between cities and countries. Expect adjusted business hours, but vibrant night markets and special evening meals, known as iftar, bring communities to life…

By Rédaction Africanews with AP In Minneapolis, fear of being arrested by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has left businesses closed and shops without customers. The Somali community is particularly afraid after having repeatedly been targeted by US president Donald Trump. Rows of businesses stood shuttered inside a sprawling complex of Somali businesses on a recent afternoon, typically a bustling time of day. Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis contains more than a hundred small businesses in suites offering everything from clothing and food to insurance and accounting services. On Thursday, the noisy hallways inside lay quiet, save for…

Foday Musa looked broken as he listened to the last voice message he received from his son. It is 76 seconds long and the young man sounds desperate. He is crying, begging for his father’s help. “It’s so hard to hear. Hearing his voice hurts me,” Musa told BBC Africa Eye, which was given exclusive access to a police unit that helped him as he searched for two of his children who had fallen victim to scammers. It was in February 2024 that Musa’s 22-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, along with five others, were recruited from their remote village in…

Generative AI is quietly reshaping how audiences encounter music by African and African-linked artists, blurring the line between human expression and machine production. The viral success of “Papaoutai (Afro Soul Version)”—an AI-generated reworking of Stromae’s deeply personal hit—shows how platforms can amplify emotionally persuasive tracks without clear disclosure. As similar AI recreations proliferate, questions are growing about consent, authenticity, and artistic ownership, especially after research found that most people cannot reliably tell AI music from human-made songs. While some services like Deezer have introduced AI labels, most streaming algorithms treat human and machine output interchangeably, squeezing artists in an unsustainable ecosystem. As…

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has neutralised more than 40 terrorists during coordinated close air support and air interdiction operations in Azir and Musarram areas of Borno State. The operations were carried out on January 15 and 16 by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, following actionable intelligence and in close coordination with ground troops. This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. According to him, NAF aircraft, in the early hours of January 16, responded swiftly to a distress call from troops engaged…

By Rédaction Africanews and AP Across western Kenya, a group of female motorcycle riders known as the Boda Girls are helping bridge a critical gap in maternal health care. Trained not only in motorcycle riding but also in basic maternal health and patient care, many of the women are nurses or community health workers. Their mission is simple but vital: transport pregnant women in remote areas to health facilities for check-ups, scans, and safe deliveries, free of charge. The initiative, launched in 2022, operates in Siaya, Kisumu, and Homa Bay counties, where long distances, poor roads, and transport costs often…

Accra’s food and drink scene is being reinvented as chefs and mixologists embrace Ghana’s rich pantry of indigenous ingredients, from prɛkɛsɛ and Grains of Selim to dawadawa and wild mints. Moving beyond menus tailored to tourists, a new generation is blending tradition with experimentation, weaving local spices into reimagined and bold Afro-Asian fusion dishes. The movement extends to craft cocktails, where earthy spices are expertly paired with revived spirits like akpɛtɛshi. This creative surge is most visible in Accra’s standout eateries—from Kōzo’s daring sushi to Buka’s hands-on traditional feasts and Vine’s coastal-inspired plates—while bars like NsuomNam and Republic are elevating distinctly…