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Arifpay Acquires Four Tech and Financial Firms to Broaden Market Reach

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Arifpay Acquires Four Tech and Financial Firms to Broaden Market Reach

Arifpay, one of the leading digital payment options in Ethiopia’s financial technology sector, has announced the acquisition of four financial and technology firms as part of a aggressive strategy to broaden its market reach.

The announcement came alongside impressive growth figures, with the fintech trailblazer revealing it has facilitated a staggering 156.9 billion Birr (approximately $1 billion USD) in digital payment transactions over a four-year period spanning from 2022 to 2026.

According to a company statement sent to Capital , this massive transaction volume was driven by the processing of over 425 million digital payment orders. The milestone positions Arifpay at the absolute forefront of Ethiopia’s aggressive national shift toward a cashless economy, aligning directly with government initiatives to boost financial inclusion and modernize commercial infrastructure.

It was noted that this is contributing significantly to the government’s national journey toward building a cashless economy and ensuring financial inclusion.

The statement further indicated that Arifpay is taking strategic steps to broaden its business and technological horizons. Over the past few years, it has acquired 4 companies operating in the sector, integrating them as sister companies.

Between 2025 and 2026, the company acquired three dynamic companies:Jami, Meftehe Microfinance, and Artsplus. Although it has finalized the acquisition process for the fourth and final company, the official launch program has not yet taken place.

Currently, Arifpay is highly expanding its technological infrastructure, providing value-added digital services to its customers through its 15 different innovative solutions and product offerings.

It was emphasized that this technological transition and integration has opened a major gateway for businesses, small merchants, and consumers in the country to benefit from modern financial services without technical disparities or hassle.

U.S. imposes visa restrictions over renewed tensions in Northern Ethiopia

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U.S. imposes visa restrictions over renewed tensions in Northern Ethiopia

The United States has announced targeted visa restrictions against individuals accused of undermining peace efforts in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, as concerns grow over a possible relapse into conflict.

In a press statement issued on June 17, U.S. State Department spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott said the measures are aimed at “hardline members” of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members. The decision follows renewed clashes earlier this year between the Tigray Security Forces (TSF) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), marking the first direct confrontation since the end of the devastating 2020–2022 war.

Washington warned that escalating tensions risk reversing fragile peace gains and destabilizing not only northern Ethiopia but the wider Horn of Africa region.

“Rising tensions between TPLF hardliners and the Ethiopian government have threatened to reignite the conflict,” Pigott said, noting that recent violence has already displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians who fear a return to full-scale war.

The visa restrictions are being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to deny entry to individuals whose actions are deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the move, targeting those considered responsible for or complicit in obstructing efforts to resolve the crisis in Tigray.

Epidemics know no borders

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Epidemics know no borders

Recently, a new outbreak of Ebola has occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Chinese Government is following the situation closely and promptly provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC. In addition to bilateral assistance, China has also extended support to the African Union Commission and engaged in epidemic prevention and control cooperation, supporting the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in its efforts to contain the outbreak and strengthen the capacity of African countries to respond to public health emergencies.

China’s support for African countries in combating Ebola is an important demonstration of its commitment to the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping, as well as a concrete step in implementing the Ten Partnership Actions announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). On June 16, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong addressed the High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on the Ebola Disease Outbreak. On behalf of China, he conveyed sympathies and support to African countries and peoples, commended the African Union for its active coordination of anti-epidemic efforts, and announced additional emergency humanitarian assistance measures.

Earlier, on June 2, the first group of Chinese medical experts dispatched to assist the DRC arrived in Kinshasa. Bringing together expertise in public health, clinical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and epidemic prevention and control, the team has been working closely with Congolese health authorities, medical institutions, disease control agencies and international partners. It has provided support in epidemic assessment, case management, laboratory testing, and professional training. Meanwhile, China’s 45 medical teams, comprising more than 900 medical personnel stationed across 44 African countries, continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the African people on the front lines of epidemic prevention and control.

The solidarity and cooperation demonstrated by China and Africa in combating disease vividly embody the essence of the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. From China’s full support for three West African countries during the Ebola outbreak in 2015, to the mutual assistance between China and Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and now to the swift deployment of Chinese medical experts following the latest Ebola outbreak, China and Africa have consistently shown mutual understanding, support, and assistance. Together, they have contributed to safeguarding global public health security, set an example for international health cooperation, and written a compelling chapter in the continued advancement of China-Africa relations.

No country can tackle global health threats alone. Solidarity and cooperation remain the most powerful weapons against epidemics. At present, Ebola prevention and control efforts in Africa face multiple challenges, including shortages of health personnel, complex security situations in affected areas, weak primary healthcare infrastructure, gaps in disease surveillance systems, and the spread of misinformation and stigmatization. These factors seriously constrain the ability of affected countries to contain the outbreak effectively.

In recent years, one major country has significantly reduced its health aid to Africa and have increasingly instrumentalized and politicized such assistance. In some cases, aid has been used as leverage to pressure recipient countries into compromising their sovereignty over data and resources, further undermining Africa’s already fragile health systems. In addition, the spillover effects of ongoing conflicts, including the confrontation between the United States and Iran, have placed greater fiscal and resource constraints on African countries’ efforts to strengthen their public health systems.

Against this backdrop, the international community should uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and adhere to the principles of public welfare and inclusiveness in health assistance to Africa, without attaching political conditions. Greater collaboration should be fostered with the WHO and relevant United Nations agencies, while platforms such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund should be fully utilized to support health cooperation projects in Africa. The international community should also support Africa CDC in strengthening public health workforce development and disease prevention and control systems, enhancing Africa’s capacity for independent epidemic response and accelerating the establishment of autonomous, sustainable, and resilient healthcare systems across the continent.

China and Africa have always been good brothers who stand together through thick and thin. China will continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith in developing its relations with Africa, as well as the correct approach to friendship and interests. China remains firmly committed to supporting African countries in enhancing their public health capacities and will continue to deepen cooperation in disease prevention and control, healthcare services, pharmaceutical industries, and medical talent development. These efforts will contribute to the early realization of the goals set out in the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda.

China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, practice genuine multilateralism, and continue supporting the WHO in playing its leading and coordinating role in global health governance. Together, we can elevate the building of a global community of health for all to a higher level and make new and greater contributions to world peace and development, as well as to the health and well-being of all humanity.

Marketing in a Data-Driven Economy: The Skills That Define Today’s Professionals

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Marketing in a Data-Driven Economy: The Skills That Define Today’s Professionals

The marketing world is changing fast.

Say goodbye to intuition and artistic instinct. The modern marketer requires a radically new toolkit – one powered by data, analytics, and customer online behavior.

Here’s the thing…

Businesses are investing bigger dollars into data-centric initiatives than ever before. They are also fiercely competing to find marketers that can keep pace.

Learn exactly what skills you need today to succeed in this new data-driven marketing economy.

Let’s get into it…

Here’s the breakdown:

  1. Why Marketing Has Become a Data Game
  1. The Core Skills Every Modern Marketer Needs
  1. How To Build These Skills (Even From Scratch)
  1. Where Marketing Careers Are Heading Next

Why Marketing Has Become a Data Game

Marketing isn’t what it used to be.

Each click. Each scroll. Each purchase creates data. And clever marketers are leveraging that data to decide who to target, what to say, and how much to spend saying it.

Statistics don’t lie. 78% of marketers report using data analytics as part of their marketing strategy. That’s a huge jump from several years ago when many marketing departments could get away with “going with your gut.”

So what does this actually mean for you?

To secure a well-paid position in marketing, you can’t just be creative. You must also know how to interpret data and extract insights from it to create effective campaigns.

Professionals of all backgrounds are going back to school to develop these abilities. Earning an online bachelor’s degree in marketing or business analytics is quickly becoming one of the most convenient methods to upskill without stopping your career. Programs like those offered through STU Global understand working adults need to learn new marketing skills around their busy schedules.

That’s the kind of practical, real-world training today’s data-driven economy demands.

The Core Skills Every Modern Marketer Needs

So what skills should you actually focus on building?

Here are the most important ones…

Data Analytics & Interpretation

This is the big one.

One skill marketers need these days is Number Sense. This doesn’t mean you need to be a full fledged data scientist…

But you do need to know how to:

  • Read campaign performance reports
  • Identify trends in customer behaviour
  • Spot what’s working (and what isn’t)
  • Make decisions based on actual evidence

64% of marketing executives report they heavily agree that data driven marketing is essential to success in the current economy. That tells you everything about where businesses are investing their resources.

Marketing Automation Tools

Automation is everywhere in marketing today.

Email marketing platforms. Social media schedulers. Lead nurturing tools. There’s an app for pretty much anything these days. Being proficient in HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce can set you apart from other candidates.

Pro tip: These sites all offer free certifications. They’re a quick way to get creds on your resume.

Content Strategy

Content still matters. A lot.

But it’s not just about writing blog posts anymore. Modern content strategy involves:

  • Understanding what your audience actually searches for
  • Creating content that ranks well in search engines
  • Using data to figure out what topics will perform
  • Knowing how to repurpose content across multiple platforms

The marketers who can blend creativity with analytics are the ones getting hired.

SEO & Digital Marketing Fundamentals

Search engines drive a huge amount of business for most companies.

SEO knowledge isn’t optional anymore. Knowing how SEO works from keyword research to on-page optimisation is essential. Paid digital marketing knowledge on Google Ads and Meta isn’t optional either.

Communication & Storytelling

Here’s something a lot of people miss…

You can be the world’s greatest data analyst. But if you can’t explain the numbers to a non-technical boss/client, you won’t get very far.

The top digital marketers today are great communicators. They know how to turn numbers into an easily understood story.

How To Build These Skills (Even From Scratch)

Don’t worry if all this feels overwhelming.

No-one becomes an expert overnight. Start learning the fundamentals.

Start With Free Resources

There are tons of free courses online that can teach you the fundamentals.

Google, HubSpot Academy (Learn digital marketing), and Meta’s Blueprint courses are great ones to begin with. They’re all free and known by employers worldwide.

Consider Formal Education

Should you decide to go deeper, consider investing in a degree program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there will be an expected 10-20% growth in marketing analytics jobs from 2022 to 2032. That is considered high demand.

A formal program gives you:

  • Structured learning
  • Real-world projects to work on
  • A recognised credential employers know
  • Networking opportunities

Practice On Real Projects

The fastest way to learn marketing skills is by doing them.

Start a blog. Launch a small ad campaign. Volunteer to manage social media for a local business. Experience beats a certificate any day.

Where Marketing Careers Are Heading Next

The future of marketing is going to be even more data-driven than the present.

AI technology is already being utilized by marketers, and its adoption is growing quickly. According to industry statistics, 72% of marketers currently use AI software to automate data analysis.

But here’s what’s interesting…

The future marketers who win aren’t the ones competing against AI. They’re the ones partnering with it — using AI to do the heavy lifting while they focus on tactics, innovation, and personalization.

That’s where the real opportunity is.

Bringing It All Together

Marketing in a data-driven economy isn’t going anywhere.

The professionals who will succeed are hybrids of the traditional and the new. They will still have to be creative storytellers…But they will also have to read data, understand analytics, and think critically about evidence.

Here’s what to focus on:

  • Build core data analytics skills first
  • Get hands-on with at least one major marketing automation tool
  • Stay current with SEO and content marketing
  • Never stop practicing your communication skills
  • Consider formal training if you want to speed up your growth

The good news? You don’t need to figure it all out at once.

Learn one skill at a time. Practice and master that skill, before moving on to learn another. In time, you’ll develop a diverse set of skills that will make you highly valuable in the marketing industry.

The dataconomy won’t be stopping anytime soon… Opportunities for savvy marketers have never been greater.

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