Nigerian billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has been named among the world’s most influential figures in the 2026 edition of the TIME 100 list.

The annual ranking, released on April 15, 2026 by TIME Magazine, recognises individuals shaping the future across business, politics, science, and culture.

Global Leaders and Influencers Recognised

Dangote joins a powerful lineup of global figures, including:

• Donald Trump
• Xi Jinping
• Benjamin Netanyahu
• Mark Carney
• Pope Leo XIV

Also featured are top technology leaders such as:

• Sundar Pichai
• Neal Mohan

Dangote’s Recognition Highlights African Influence

Aliko Dangote is the only Nigerian on the 2026 list and is featured in the “Titans” category, underscoring his impact on global industry and economic development.

This marks his second appearance on the TIME100 list, having first been honoured in 2014 for his contributions to business and philanthropy.

Other notable figures in the Titans category include:

• Reid Wiseman
• Michael Dell and Susan Dell
• Ralph Lauren

Contributions Driving Recognition

As Founder and President of the Dangote Group, Dangote has led Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, driving large-scale investments across:

• Cement manufacturing
• Agriculture and food processing
• Infrastructure development
• Energy and refining

His industrial expansion has significantly reduced reliance on imports while creating millions of jobs across Africa.

According to TIME’s citation, Dangote’s vision of building globally competitive African industries using local resources has positioned him as a key figure in the continent’s economic transformation.

Strong Philanthropic Footprint

Beyond business, Dangote’s influence extends through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, one of Africa’s largest private foundations.

The foundation supports initiatives in:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Nutrition
• Disaster relief
• Economic empowerment

These efforts have improved the lives of millions across vulnerable communities on the continent.

Entertainment and Science Honorees

The 2026 TIME100 list also celebrates figures in entertainment and innovation, including:

• Ranbir Kapoor
• Dakota Johnson
• Kate Hudson

In science and advocacy, pioneers such as:

• Kiran Musunuru
• Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas

were recognised for breakthroughs in genetic therapy and medical innovation.

A Milestone for African Leadership

Dangote’s inclusion reflects a growing global recognition of African leadership, innovation, and enterprise. His continued influence positions him as a symbol of the continent’s rising role in shaping global economic and development narratives.

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The Nigerian currency recorded a modest gain in early trading on Thursday, strengthening against the United States Dollar at the official market.

Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed that the Naira traded at approximately N1,344.20 per Dollar as of 7:00 AM WAT.

Naira Shows Early Stability in Trading Session

Real-time market figures indicated that the local currency maintained a relatively stable range during the opening session, reaching an early high of N1,343.83/$ before settling around the N1,344 mark.

This performance reflects a slight appreciation compared to previous sessions, signaling improved confidence in the foreign exchange market.

Parallel Market (Black Market) Rate

At the parallel market, also known as the black market, the Naira traded at a slightly weaker rate compared to the official window.

Currency dealers in major hubs such as Lagos and Abuja quoted the Dollar at:

• Buying Rate: N1,360/$
• Selling Rate: N1,380/$

The gap between the official and parallel market rates highlights persistent demand pressures in the informal FX segment, where access to foreign currency remains more flexible but costlier.

Factors Driving the Appreciation

Market analysts attribute the Naira’s positive movement to:

• Increased foreign currency inflows into the economy
• Continued interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
• Ongoing efforts to clear the backlog of unmet foreign exchange demand

These developments have helped stabilize the currency in recent weeks, easing pressure on the FX market.

Experts Remain Cautiously Optimistic

Financial experts say current market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, largely supported by recent economic reforms targeted at strengthening the Naira.

However, they warn that demand pressures could still influence exchange rate movements in the coming weeks, particularly due to:

• Rising demand for foreign exchange for international education
• Increased travel-related expenses
• Seasonal import activities

While the Naira has shown signs of resilience in early trading, analysts believe sustained stability will depend on consistent FX supply and effective policy implementation by monetary authorities.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced sweeping new rules governing the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system, set to take effect from May 1, in a move aimed at strengthening financial security and curbing rising fraud across digital banking channels.

The new guidelines will significantly impact how millions of Nigerians access mobile banking services, particularly in areas such as device usage, identity verification, and account protection.

According to the apex bank, the updated BVN framework is designed to address vulnerabilities exploited by fraudsters, especially through SIM swaps and unauthorized access to customer accounts.

Key Changes Nigerians Should Know

1. One Device Per Banking App
Customers will now be restricted to using their mobile banking app on only one device at a time, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

2. Automatic Logout on New Device Login
When a user logs in on a new phone, the previous device will be automatically logged out, ensuring tighter account control.

3. Extra Verification for Device Switching
Switching devices will trigger additional authentication steps, adding another layer of security.

4. 24-Hour Fraud Watchlist
BVNs flagged for suspicious activity will be placed on a 24-hour watchlist, during which transactions may be monitored or restricted.

5. Temporary Account Freezes
Banks will have the authority to temporarily freeze accounts while investigating unusual or potentially fraudulent transactions.

6. One-Time Phone Number Change Rule
Customers will only be allowed to change the phone number linked to their BVN once in a lifetime, a move targeted at reducing identity manipulation.

7. Crackdown on SIM-Swap Fraud
The new policy specifically targets SIM-swap-related fraud, a growing concern in Nigeria’s banking sector.

8. Minimum Age for BVN Registration Set at 18
Only individuals aged 18 and above will be eligible to enrol for a BVN, while minors must operate accounts under parental or guardian supervision.

9. ₦20,000 Transaction Limit on New Devices
Customers activating mobile banking on a new device will face a transaction cap of ₦20,000 within the first 24 hours.

10. Stronger Fraud Prevention Measures
The CBN says all measures collectively aim to boost trust in Nigeria’s digital banking ecosystem and protect users from financial losses.

Financial analysts say the new rules could reshape user experience in mobile banking, forcing customers to adopt stricter security habits. While the measures may introduce minor inconveniences, they are widely seen as necessary to safeguard deposits and restore confidence in electronic transactions.

Banks across Nigeria are expected to begin immediate implementation, with customers advised to update their details and familiarize themselves with the changes ahead of the May 1 rollout.

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RHUCE, a new social platform designed for African creatives, has officially launched today, introducing a new model for how creators across the continent can turn their skills, learning, and content into income. 

As Africa’s creator economy, estimated at over $3 billion, continues to grow, millions of young people are building digital skills but struggle to convert them into sustainable opportunities. RHUCE aims to bridge this gap by combining professional identity, creator monetisation, and opportunity discovery in a single ecosystem. 

“Across Africa, talent is everywhere, but opportunity is fragmented,” said Simeon Ifeoluwa Adeyanju, CEO of RHUCE Limited. “Creators are learning, building, and sharing their work, but they lack a structured way to turn that into visibility, credibility, and income.” 

READ ALSO: Truecaller Expands Business Chat Platform to Global Partners, Targets Enterprise Growth

Unlike traditional platforms that prioritise virality or finished work, RHUCE enables users to document their growth in real time, transforming their learning journey into a living portfolio. 

“We believe your journey is your greatest asset,” Adeyanju said. “On RHUCE, your growth becomes your portfolio, your consistency builds your credibility, and opportunities can discover you based on what you’re becoming, not just what you’ve done.” 

The platform introduces a shift from application-based hiring to discovery-driven opportunities, where creators are matched with jobs, gigs, and collaborations based on their evolving skills and documented progress. 

“Instead of chasing opportunities across WhatsApp groups, DMs, and multiple platforms, we’ve built a system where you can post once and be discovered continuously,” he added. 

RHUCE also provides monetisation tools that allow creators to earn through digital products, paid learning content, and brand-sponsored campaigns, unlocking new income streams within Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. 

With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the platform positions itself as infrastructure for the continent’s next generation of talent. 

“RHUCE is not just a platform for finished professionals,” Adeyanju said. “It is for people becoming something. Our goal is simple: help Africans turn learning into opportunity, and opportunity into income.” 

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Truecaller has announced the global expansion of its Business Chat platform, opening access to channel partners and enterprise solution providers worldwide in a move aimed at transforming business-to-customer communication.

The development allows partners to onboard enterprise clients onto a more secure and interactive messaging ecosystem, moving away from traditional SMS toward a verified, media-rich, and conversational engagement experience.

According to the company, the expansion is designed to help businesses regain customer attention and build trust in an increasingly crowded digital communication space.

“The definition of success for modern enterprises has fundamentally evolved. It’s no longer just about delivery – it’s about earning attention, establishing credibility, and driving meaningful conversion,” said Priyam Bose, Global Head of Go-To-Market at Truecaller.

He added that opening the platform to global partners creates new opportunities for brands to connect with over 500 million active users through trusted and contextual communication channels. For existing clients, the move also introduces an additional high-impact engagement channel to strengthen customer experience.

The Business Chat platform offers a clutter-free environment where businesses can interact directly with consumers, supported by real-time insights and advanced engagement metrics. This enables companies to adopt more data-driven communication strategies across different stages of the customer journey.

Several partners are already leveraging the platform across key markets. In India, companies such as Gupshup and OneXtel have gone live, while Globe Teleservices, Cloudcom, and Sling Africa are expanding its reach in other global markets.

With more than 500 million active users globally and over one billion downloads since launch, Truecaller continues to position itself as a key player in secure communication. The platform also reported identifying over 68 billion spam and fraud calls in 2025 alone.

Headquartered in Stockholm, Truecaller has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

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