Microsoft has announced that it will officially discontinue Skype on May 5, 2025, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant video calling platform. The company is urging users to transition to Microsoft Teams, which has become its primary communication tool in recent years. Skype, launched in 2003, revolutionized online communication by offering free voice and video calls globally. Acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, it was integrated into the company’s ecosystem, including Windows and Xbox devices. At its peak, Skype was a household name with hundreds of millions of users worldwide. However, the platform’s popularity has waned over the years due to competition from services like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Google Meet. Microsoft’s decision to prioritize Teams, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when virtual collaboration tools became essential, further signaled Skype’s decline. In 2021, Skype was notably absent from Windows 11’s default applications as Teams took center stage. In a blog post, Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s president of collaborative apps and platforms, explained the rationale behind the move. “With Teams, users have access to many of the same core features they use in Skype, such as one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing,” he wrote. “Additionally, Teams offers enhanced features like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities for free.” Skype users can log into Teams using their existing credentials and are advised to export their chat history, contacts, and call logs before the shutdown date. The announcement has sparked nostalgia among long-time users who shared their memories online. One user reflected on how Skype played a pivotal role in maintaining long-distance relationships before smartphones became mainstream. Another described it as a “game-changer” during its heyday. Despite its decline in recent years, Skype remains a significant part of internet history. Its closure marks the end of a chapter for one of the most iconic communication tools of the modern era.
Mark Zuckerberg channels his inner pop star in a viral birthday surprise for wife Priscilla Chan
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, traded his usual tech-world persona for a show-stopping pop-star moment to celebrate his wife, Priscilla Chan, on her 40th birthday. The surprise performance, which has since gone viral, revealed a playful and unexpected side of the tech billionaire. In a video shared online, Zuckerberg took to the stage wearing a shimmering blue sequined jumpsuit reminiscent of Benson Boone’s iconic Grammys outfit. The performance was part of a private celebration for Chan’s milestone birthday, and it certainly left an impression. With microphone in hand and boundless energy, Zuckerberg delivered an enthusiastic routine that included dramatic gestures and even jumping onto a piano. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Chan’s reaction. She appeared both surprised and delighted as she watched her husband fully embrace his pop-star alter ego. “Your wife only turns 40 once!” Zuckerberg reportedly declared before stepping into the spotlight. The unexpected performance has sparked widespread attention online, with fans praising Zuckerberg’s effort to make the occasion unforgettable. It’s not every day you see one of the world’s most influential tech leaders donning sequins and channeling their inner entertainer. This lively display of affection adds a personal touch to the public image of Zuckerberg, who is more often associated with boardrooms and innovation than stage performances. For Priscilla Chan, it was surely a birthday to remember, complete with laughter, love, and a little bit of rock-and-roll flair.
Moniepoint partners with AfriGO to distribute 5 million cards, boost digital payments in Nigeria
Moniepoint Inc., a leading fintech company, has announced a strategic partnership with Afrigopay Financial Services Limited (AFSL), a subsidiary of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), to distribute five million AfriGO cards across Nigeria. The AfriGO card, part of Nigeria’s National Domestic Card Scheme launched in January 2023 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NIBSS, is tailored to address local payment needs while reducing reliance on foreign card systems. By offering an alternative to international cards, the AfriGO card ensures data sovereignty and promotes local business growth. Through this partnership, Moniepoint will utilize its extensive infrastructure to roll out tap-to-pay solutions that enable users to make seamless payments with contactless cards or NFC-enabled devices. This technology allows payments by simply tapping a card or device on a compatible terminal, making transactions faster and more convenient. Speaking on the collaboration, Mrs. Ebehijie Momoh, Managing Director and CEO of Afrigopay, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership. She noted that the AfriGO card would enhance financial services delivery, particularly in underserved areas. Merchants and agents will benefit from instant settlements and improved cash flow management, reducing risks associated with cash handling. “The AfriGO card strengthens local businesses by reducing dependency on foreign exchange for payment transactions while creating new opportunities in Nigeria’s growing card ecosystem,” Mrs. Momoh said. Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint Inc., emphasized the broader impact of contactless payments on financial inclusion and the digital economy. “This partnership is about unlocking potential and creating better opportunities for all Nigerians. Together, we aim to reshape the digital economy so individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and governments can achieve their goals,” he stated. The AfriGO card initiative positions Nigeria alongside countries like China, Russia, Turkey, and India that have developed domestic card schemes. While it does not replace existing international cards, it provides Nigerians with more payment options tailored to their unique needs. In addition to this rollout, Afrigopay is also collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to integrate payment functionality into Nigeria’s general multipurpose national identity card. This further underscores the drive toward a more inclusive and efficient financial system in the country.
MTN Nigeria reports 47% drop in MoMo wallet users amid strategic shift
MTN Nigeria has revealed a significant decline in active users of its mobile money platform, MoMo Payment Service Bank (PSB), as part of a deliberate strategy to enhance user quality and operational efficiency. The number of active wallets dropped by 47% in 2024, falling to 2.8 million from 5.3 million recorded at the end of 2023. The company disclosed this in its audited financial results for the year, attributing the decline to a recalibration of its growth strategy. According to MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, the move was necessary to establish a sustainable growth trajectory for the MoMo ecosystem. “Although this intervention resulted in a decline in active wallets, it was essential to improve the quality and stickiness of our wallet base while developing advanced services,” Toriola explained. The number of MoMo agents and merchants also saw steep declines, dropping by 76.8% and 79.2%, respectively. However, despite these reductions, transaction volumes on the platform increased by 4.3%, signaling stronger engagement among remaining users and sustained demand for financial technology services. While active wallet numbers fell, MTN’s fintech business delivered a strong performance in 2024, with revenue growing by 23.2% year-on-year. The fourth quarter was particularly robust, with a 38.7% revenue increase driven by the popularity of its airtime lending product, Xtratime. This service has gained significant traction among users and contributed substantially to the company’s fintech growth. MTN’s digital services segment also experienced remarkable growth, with revenue surging by 95.2% compared to the previous year. Monthly active subscriptions for rich media services grew by 22.4%, reaching 9.8 million users by the end of 2024. The company credited this success to ongoing investments in digital content and enhancements to user experiences, which have resonated with customers seeking personalized and engaging services. Despite these successes, MTN Nigeria faced financial challenges in 2024, reporting a ₦400.4 billion loss after tax due to record-high inflation and the devaluation of the naira. The company’s operational expenses were further impacted by net foreign exchange losses, which rose by nearly 25% year-on-year to ₦925.36 billion. MTN Nigeria remains optimistic about its future prospects. The company expects a recent tariff hike to boost revenue by at least 40% in 2025 and plans to focus on restoring a positive net asset position while increasing capital expenditure intensity.
African airlines see 14.9% surge in passenger demand in January 2025 – IATA
African airlines recorded a significant 14.9% increase in passenger demand in January 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to a new report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This growth highlights the continent’s expanding role in global aviation and its strong recovery from pandemic-era disruptions. The report, part of IATA’s Global Passenger Demand data for January 2025, also revealed that capacity among African carriers grew by 11.2% year-on-year. The load factor, a measure of how full planes are, rose to 75.9%, up to 2.4 percentage points from January 2024. This indicates that not only were more seats made available, but a higher percentage of them were occupied by passengers. While all international passenger markets showed robust growth, Africa stood out as one of the best-performing regions. This reflects an increasing appetite for air travel across the continent and the ability of African airlines to meet rising demand by expanding capacity. Globally, total passenger demand increased by 10% compared to January 2024, with international travel seeing a stronger rise of 12.4%. The overall global load factor reached an all-time high for January at 82.1%, underscoring the continued recovery and growing confidence in air travel. Among other regions, Asia-Pacific airlines led the way with a remarkable 21.8% year-on-year growth in passenger demand. Capacity in the region grew by 16.5%, and the load factor reached an industry-leading 86.7%. Latin American airlines saw a 12.9% rise in demand, but their capacity growth of 15.5% slightly outpaced demand, causing a dip in their load factor to 84.3%. Middle Eastern carriers posted a solid 9.6% increase in demand with a notable load factor improvement to 83.8%. In contrast, North American airlines reported the slowest growth at just 3.8%, with capacity inching up by only 0.6%. Despite this modest performance, their load factor remained strong at 81.8%. The strong performance of African airlines underscores their growing importance in global aviation markets and their ability to adapt to rising demand. According to Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, the record-high load factors globally reflect both supply chain challenges and airlines’ effective management of fleet and infrastructure constraints. IATA’s November 2024 passenger survey suggested that most travelers plan to maintain or increase their travel frequency over the next year, a promising sign for continued growth across all regions, including Africa
Lagos secures $1.2 billion in digital investments over five years – Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State has attracted over $1.2 billion in digital investments in the past five years, according to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The governor revealed this during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) delegation, led by its Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Aminu Maida, at the Lagos House in Ikeja on Friday. Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the funds have been channeled into critical digital infrastructure projects, including the development of data centers, the installation of submarine cables, and the expansion of the state’s digital network. These investments are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Lagos’ digital economy and position it as a leading tech hub in Africa. “Within five years of our administration, we have attracted investments exceeding $1.2 billion directly into the digital space,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “These funds have been used to build hyperscale data centers, land submarine cables, and create a robust network for users and providers.” Strengthening Digital InfrastructureThe governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to bolstering digital infrastructure through strategic partnerships with organizations like the NCC. This effort aligns with the Education and Technology pillar of his THEMES+ agenda, which aims to leverage technology for economic growth and improved service delivery. Sanwo-Olu assured residents that his government is working closely with the NCC to protect critical telecom infrastructure and advance Lagos’ digital economy. He also noted that these initiatives would make internet access more affordable and accessible across the state. NCC Commends Lagos’ EffortsAminu Maida, CEO of the NCC, praised Lagos State for its strides in telecommunications and technology development. He described Lagos as a strategic partner in safeguarding digital infrastructure and facilitating seamless telecom operations. “Lagos is a key partner for us at the NCC,” Maida said. “Collaboration is essential to address issues like Right of Way, proper notifications during road construction, and other challenges affecting telecom infrastructure.” Maida also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order signed in July 2024, which prioritizes protecting critical infrastructure nationwide. He urged continued efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s growing digital ecosystem. Driving Economic Growth Through TechnologyLagos State has been implementing several initiatives to boost its tech ecosystem’s contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%. This includes plans to establish a fund-of-funds to co-invest with venture capital firms supporting Lagos-based tech startups. Additionally, ongoing expansions of data centers in areas like Lekki and Eko Atlantic are projected to add up to $7 billion to Lagos’ economy. In May 2024, the state completed the first phase of a project aimed at reducing internet connectivity costs by laying 2,700 kilometers of fiber ducts. A second phase will add another 3,300 kilometers to further improve internet accessibility for residents.