#refinednews

Nigerian researcher Professor Andrew Agbaje has secured a €1.5 million European Research Council grant to lead a five-year study examining the long-term health effects of vaping and e-cigarette use among young people.

Africa’s tech ecosystem is moving beyond apps and startups into the infrastructure powering the continent’s next phase of digital growth. From Egypt’s $1 billion sovereign AI data centre and WhatsApp’s new campaign for Nigerian businesses to Grey’s direct yuan payments, Paystack’s Allawee acquisition and ITW Africa 2026 in Nairobi, here are five tech developments shaping the week.

79 African players from 23 nations are competing in this season’s UEFA Champions League group phase; the most in the competition’s history. And Yaya Toure has become the first African coach ever to lead a team into the Champions League main round.

Africa will host an Olympic event for the very first time in history. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games take place in Senegal from 31 October to 13 November, bringing 2,700 young athletes from every continent to three host cities — Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

From Nairobi to Paris, Kenyan designer Anil Padia is putting African craftsmanship on the global luxury map. His label, Yoshita 1967, has won the 2026 LVMH Savoir-Faire Prize after becoming the first Kenyan label to reach the LVMH Prize final.

Dr Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu’s journey from Lagos to the University of Saskatchewan has taken her from law student to professor and now dean of the College of Law. Here is how an unexpected decision to pursue graduate studies in Canada shaped a remarkable academic career.

South Africa’s Romanda Hombir has claimed the Miss World Africa 2026 title after reaching the Top 6 at the Miss World finale in Vietnam. Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin also made the Top 6, while Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George finished in the Top 12.

Nigerian-American entrepreneur Olamide Olowe is stepping down as chief executive of skincare company Topicals, with former Fenty Beauty general manager Sukiana Chancy taking over the role as the brand enters its next phase of growth.

Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy has surpassed four billion total views on YouTube, marking another major milestone in his growing list of global achievements.

Fola leads the 18th Headies nominations with 10 nods, joining Omah Lay, Wizkid, Mavo, Davido and Ayra Starr in a competitive 2026 awards race.