Business
Canal+ Takes Full Control of MultiChoice in Landmark Merger
The MultiChoice Group (MCG) has officially come under the control of French media giant Canal+, following the fulfilment of all conditions for the merger. The transaction, finalized on 19 September 2025, marks the largest acquisition in Canal+’s history.
MCG confirmed that all suspensive conditions to the takeover have either been met or waived, rendering the Canal+ offer unconditional. The settlement process will now begin, pending a compliance certificate from South Africa’s Takeover Regulation Panel.
As of close of business on 19 September, Canal+ directly owned 46% of MCG’s shares, with an additional 2.2% already tendered, effectively giving the French broadcaster majority control. More shares are expected to be added under the now-unconditional offer.
The acquisition creates a global media powerhouse with more than 40 million subscribers across 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia, supported by about 17,000 employees.
Commitments to South Africa
As part of the merger, Canal+ and MultiChoice pledged to safeguard public interest by supporting historically disadvantaged businesses and SMMEs in South Africa’s audio-visual sector, while continuing to fund local sports and entertainment content. Subscription and billing arrangements for customers will remain unchanged.
Canal+ will release a detailed strategic update in early 2026, outlining its vision for the combined group.
Leadership Restructuring
The deal also comes with major leadership changes. A new board took office on 22 September, led by Maxime Saada as Chair, Elias Masilela as Lead Independent Director, David Mignot as CEO, and Nicolas Dandoy as CFO. Several independent non-executive directors remain on the board, while former CEO Calvo Mawela and other executives stepped down.
Mawela will, however, chair Canal+’s African operations, while outgoing CFO Timothy Jacobs will remain in a senior finance role within the combined group.
Saada described the merger as a turning point:
“Our combined company is unique, a true global media and entertainment powerhouse. This combination increases our ability to invest in creative and sporting content throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.”
Voting Rights Reforms
To comply with South Africa’s broadcasting laws, MultiChoice has established Multichoice Proprietary Limited (LicenceCo) to hold its broadcasting licence. This ensures South African ownership and governance while allowing Canal+ to exercise full voting rights attached to its shares.
The merger not only consolidates Canal+’s stake in Africa’s leading pay-TV operator but also strengthens its global footprint, setting the stage for new investments in media and sports content worldwide.
Business
24-Hour Economy Authority Secures Over $8 Billion in Investment Agreements in 90 Days
The Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority has announced that it has secured bankable investment agreements worth more than $8 billion within the last 90 days, a development officials say demonstrates growing investor confidence in the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Export Development Officer of the Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, during a roundtable discussion on the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Single Market: How Can Ghanaian Businesses Win Under AfCFTA?” on Channel One TV as part of the Citi Business Festival held on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
According to Mr. Opoku-Asare, the agreements underscore the government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to drive the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy agenda, rather than relying extensively on public funding.
He explained that the strategy is designed to reduce pressure on the country’s public finances while accelerating industrial growth and the development of strategic economic corridors across Ghana.
“We are enabling private capital in the development of all the projects we are talking about and the economic corridors we are building. Once private capital comes in, our work is coordination and enabling investment, so it is not sitting on sovereign debt. That is very important to ensure permanence in the long term,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku-Asare noted that the Authority is increasingly focusing on facilitating and coordinating private investments instead of directly financing projects with government resources, a move he believes will enhance the long-term sustainability of the programme.
He further emphasised that the signing of investment agreements exceeding $8 billion within a relatively short period highlights strong investor interest and confidence in the direction of the 24-Hour Economy programme.
“I’ve spoken about, in the last 90 days, all the bankable agreements that we’ve signed already, which is like over $8 billion,” he added.
Business
BoG Halts Proposed Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited to suspend its planned 0.75 per cent charge on direct mobile money wallet-to-bank account transfers.
The proposed fee, which was expected to take effect from June 1, 2026, has been put on hold to allow for further stakeholder consultations, the central bank announced on Tuesday, May 26.
The directive follows a notice issued by MTN Ghana on Monday, May 25, informing customers that transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts would attract a 0.75 per cent fee per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the proposed arrangement, customers would have been charged even when transferring funds from their own registered MoMo wallet to their personal bank account — a service that has so far been offered free of charge.
In a statement, the Bank of Ghana explained that the suspension forms part of efforts to ensure that any adjustments to charges within the mobile financial services space are implemented in a fair and transparent manner, while safeguarding consumer interests and financial well-being.
For the time being, customers will continue to enjoy free transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts, as the proposed charges remain suspended.
The central bank further clarified that existing charges on MoMo wallet-to-wallet transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
MTN Ghana is yet to officially respond to the Bank of Ghana’s directive.
Business
MTN Ghana Introduces Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers from June 1
MTN Ghana has announced that Mobile Money users will begin paying charges for transfers from their MoMo wallets to bank accounts effective June 1, 2026, ending years of free transfers for customers moving funds between their own accounts.
In a text message sent to subscribers on Monday evening, May 25, the telecommunications company disclosed that all MoMo-to-bank transfers will now attract a fee of 0.75 per cent per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the new pricing structure, customers transferring GH₵100 from their MoMo wallet to a bank account will pay 75 pesewas, while transfers of GH₵667 and above will attract the maximum charge of GH₵5.
The fee will apply to all bank transfers, including transactions involving bank accounts belonging to the same individual who owns the MoMo wallet. Previously, MTN customers enjoyed free transfers when moving funds between their personally registered MoMo wallets and bank accounts.
According to the company, the move forms part of efforts to improve service delivery to its growing customer base.
“From 1 June 2026, transfers from your MoMo Wallet to bank accounts will attract a fee of 0.75% per transaction, capped at GH₵5. This will help us continue to serve you better. Thank you for choosing MoMo,” the message to customers stated.
The development marks a significant change in MTN Ghana’s mobile financial service charges, particularly for customers who frequently transfer money from MoMo wallets into bank accounts for business and personal transactions.
However, the company clarified that the new charge applies only to transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts. Existing charges for MoMo-to-MoMo transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
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