Africa Live News

Visa Defines the Next Era of Commerce: When AI Becomes the Customer

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:52:55 GMT

New Visa research reveals more than half of business leaders surveyed are open to AI-to-AI negotiation, but consumers say trust and override capability are non-negotiable (BUSINESS WIRE)--A majority of business leaders are preparing for a world where artificial intelligence doesn’t just assist commerce, it participates in it. New research from Visa (NYSE:V) underscores how quickly that shift is gaining momentum. The Visa Business-to-AI (B2AI) Report, conducted in conjunction with Morning Consult, highlights how AI is already influencing demand. Nearly 40% of Americans have made a purchase they normally would not have considered as a result of using an AI agent or tool. This is an early indication that intelligent systems are beginning to shape how people discover and decide what to buy. The new report also reveals that 53% of U.S. businesses in the survey would allow AI agents to negotiate prices or terms directly with other AI agents on their behalf, signaling that AI-to-AI commerce is poised to scale. At the same time, 71% of businesses say they are willing to optimize products, offers and experiences specifically for AI agents, while 77% are already using or piloting AI in their operations. Why B2AI Has Arrived Visa defines this next phase of commerce as B2AI, an emerging economic model in which AI agents act as active participants in commercial decision-making and execution, while humans remain accountable for intent and outcomes. “Commerce is moving from market-to-human to market-to-machine,” said Frank Cooper III, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa. “B2AI describes what happens next as AI agents begin evaluating, negotiating and transacting on behalf of people. In that world, as always, trust becomes the critical infrastructure. If we don’t build it into machine-mediated commerce, adoption stalls.” AI Is Moving from Assistant to Economic Proxy For years, AI has optimized recommendations and streamlined operations. The new data suggests it is now crossing into decision-making territory. Among business decision-makers surveyed: 53% would permit AI agents to negotiate directly with other AI agents 88% are willing to provide pricing or inventory data to enterprise AI systems 55% are already familiar with the concept of B2AI commerce This signals a turning point: brands are no longer just marketing to humans — they are preparing to transact more freely with intelligent systems acting on behalf of customers and enterprises. Consumers Are Ready, with Guardrails On the consumer side, acceptance is accelerating, but trust remains the defining factor for full adoption. The report found: 58% of Americans are comfortable with AI comparing prices 55% are comfortable with AI applying discounts 38% are comfortable with AI completing a purchase Meanwhile: Only 27% are comfortable allowing AI to spend money autonomously without limits 60% would not allow AI to spend any amount without approval “The message is unmistakable: people are open to AI acting for them, not instead of them,” added Cooper. “Our findings show that trust is the adoption switch for agentic commerce. Consumers are willing to let AI act on their behalf, but only when they retain visibility, control and the ability to intervene.” Notably, trust increases significantly when financial institutions are involved: 36% trust bank-backed AI systems 35% trust payment network-enabled AI Only 28% trust independent AI agents Generation Acceleration The shift is especially pronounced among younger consumers. Nearly half of Gen Z (48%) say they trust payment network-enabled AI systems, compared to only 20% of Boomers. Among Gen Z and Millennials using AI shopping assistants, nearly half report making purchases they wouldn’t otherwise have considered due to AI recommendations. A Defining Moment for Commerce The data signals that AI is shifting from support system to transaction participant. Businesses are preparing for it. Consumers are cautiously embracing it. Trust will determine how fast it scales. To learn more about the report, visit here. Methodology This survey was conducted between January 29th to February 6th, 2026, among a sample of 2,000 Gen Pop Adults in the U.S. and 512 Business Decision Makers in the US. The interviews were conducted online and the results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points for Gen Pop and plus or minus 4 points for Business Decision Makers. The Gen Pop results are weighted to the U.S. general population based on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education. The Business Decision Maker results are unweighted. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402378253/en/ Permalink https://aetoswire.com/en/news/2042026541788 Contacts Media Contact Conor Febos – cfebos@visa.com

Credit Derivatives Determinations Committees Membership applications for 2026

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:46:19 GMT

NEW YORK - Saturday, 28. March 2026 AETOSWire

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- DC Administration Services, Inc. (DCAS) would like to invite all interested Members of ISDA to apply for a position as a member of the Credit Derivatives Determinations Committees. There is a separate Determinations Committee for each of the relevant regions. Members of ISDA may apply for membership as either a Dealer Member of the Determinations Committees or a Non-Dealer Member of the Determinations Committees (as applicable).

Parties wishing to apply for such a position should carefully review and submit either an executed Dealer Participation Letter (for a prospective Dealer Member) or an executed Non-dealer Committee Participation Letter (for a prospective Non-Dealer Member) by 5pm (New York time) on Friday, April 3, 2026. CCPs may also apply to participate as a CCP Member by submitting a Participating CCP Institution Letter.

For more information on the process and to download the form of the relevant letter, please visit https://www.cdsdeterminationscommittees.org/about-dc-committees/constitution-of-the-determinations-committees/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260327896632/en/

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Contacts
Orlando Figueroa, orlando.figueroa@citadelspv.com

The Estée Lauder Companies Fully Establishes Its “One ELC” Operating Model and Reaches Milestone in Its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:58:46 GMT

NEW YORK WPP Appointed First-Ever Global Media Partner, Unifying Media Execution Worldwide “One ELC” Operating Model Is Transforming How the Company Operates at Scale (BUSINESS WIRE)--The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announced WPP as its first-ever global media partner, marking a significant advancement of its One ELC operating model, a scalable system designed to operate faster, execute with greater discipline, and drive growth. In fully establishing One ELC, the Company also reached a significant milestone in its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan’s (PRGP) Restructuring Program — a key action plan priority of Beauty Reimagined. Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, said, “With the appointment of WPP as our first-ever global media partner, our One ELC operating model is now fully established. This more unified and scalable system will enable us to be faster, more agile and efficient, and support unlocking additional growth. Together with our execution progress, we are confident that we are on a trajectory to deliver sustainable, profitable long-term growth.” de La Faverie added, “Building on our strong fiscal 2026 first half results, which included increased consumer-facing investments to restore sustainable sales growth, today we announced an important milestone in the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan’s Restructuring Program. We have now approved initiatives to achieve the high-end of the target gross savings range and affirmed we are on track to realize the vast majority of PRGP’s full run-rate benefits in fiscal 2027. The PRGP has instilled a strong sense of cost discipline into our organization that is now embedded in our ways of working.” Advancing a New Operating Foundation The Company has fundamentally changed how it operates and now has the foundational pieces in place to complete its transformation. At the center of this is the Company’s One ELC operating model, an integrated system built on three elements: One Team, One Culture, and One Operating Ecosystem. One Team, deployed swiftly in July 2025 to simplify the organization with fewer layers and silos, clearer ownership, and faster decision making. One Culture, introduced in February 2026, to reinforce how teams work every day, grounded in accountability, bold, entrepreneurial thinking, and agility. One Operating Ecosystem, built over the last year and now fully in place, brings together shared platforms, data, and strategic partners to enable consistent, scalable, and effective execution across brands, regions, and functions. Establishing a Unified Global Media Model As a core component of its One Operating Ecosystem within One ELC, the Company has appointed WPP as its first global media partner, establishing a unified, enterprise-led approach to media buying designed to enable greater scale, precision, and impact. The Company is moving from a decentralized regional media structure to a connected global system powered by data, technology, and AI. This model strengthens the Company’s ability to generate and capture demand while improving media effectiveness and efficiency at scale and at speed. Aude Gandon, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies, said, “Today, beauty is discovered and experienced across a constantly evolving mix of platforms. To lead in this environment, we are building a connected, AI-enabled media system that brings brand building and performance together at global scale. Partnering with WPP strengthens our ability to invest with greater precision, move with greater speed, and deliver stronger, more measurable returns, while keeping creativity and brand leadership at the center of everything we do.” Delivering a Connected Ecosystem with Strategic Partners With WPP’s appointment, the Company’s One Operating Ecosystem is now in place and brings together a coordinated set of best-in-class strategic partners to modernize and scale how it operates globally. Accenture is transforming shared services through the Company’s Enterprise Business Services (EBS) model, driving standardization, efficiency, and scalability across core functions. The Company has designed EBS and begun transitioning services, with the model on track to be fully in place before the end of calendar year 2026. Shopify powers the Company’s global direct-to-consumer omnichannel experience, creating a modern and unified commerce foundation. Initial implementation with TOM FORD BEAUTY’s brand.com in the U.S. has already delivered improved sales, conversion, and average order value performance — all encouraging signs as the foundation scales. Following the initial implementation phase, the Company expects to have launched 50% of the in-scope direct-to-consumer business by the end of calendar year 2026. By partnering with best-in-class organizations, the Company is transitioning from a fragmented data landscape to a more unified one. This will create a scalable foundation for real-time insights, a single consumer view, and more effective activation across brands and markets. Delivering Against the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan Since expanding the Restructuring Program when it introduced Beauty Reimagined in February 2025, the Company has taken decisive actions to reshape its cost structure and operations, allowing for increased consumer-facing investments. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has approved initiatives expected to deliver total gross benefits at the high end of its targeted range of $0.8 billion to $1.0 billion, a portion of which has been and will continue to be reinvested in consumer-facing initiatives, with expected total charges at the mid-point of the estimated range of $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion. With a line of sight to additional gross benefits, all business case approvals for the Restructuring Program are still expected to be made by June 30, 2026. This progress reflects disciplined delivery against clearly defined priorities and has supported the Company’s ability to reinvest for growth. The Company expects execution of the PRGP to be substantially complete by the end of fiscal 2027 and affirmed that the vast majority of PRGP’s full run-rate benefits, including its Restructuring Program, are to be achieved during fiscal 2027. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to our expectations regarding restructuring and other charges, involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include current economic and other conditions in the global marketplace, actions by retailers and consumers, competition, The Estée Lauder Companies’ ability to successfully implement its long-term strategic plan, and those factors described in The Estée Lauder Companies’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit wpp.com. About WPP Media WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, it brings the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401678161/en/ Permalink https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/2042026541722 Contacts Investor Relations: Rainey Mancini rmancini@estee.com Media Relations: Brendan Riley briley@estee.com

Lenovo 360 Framework Evolves with Simplified Tiers, Services Growth Pathways, and New Technical Community

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:57:03 GMT

MORRISVILLE, N.C. -
New enhancements to Lenovo 360 make growth more intuitive, profitable, and collaborative for Lenovo partners

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lenovo today announced new enhancements to its global channel framework, Lenovo 360, building on the success of its channel-centric model to further simplify and accelerate partner growth.

Lenovo 360 has become the foundation for how Lenovo enables, connects with, and grows alongside its global partner ecosystem. These latest updates reflect Lenovo’s continued commitment to evolving the partner experience and creating more intuitive, scalable paths to growth.

"The channel is central to how we do business,” said Pascal Bourguet, Chief Sales Strategy & Channels Officer at Lenovo. “It’s how we scale, how we innovate, and how we grow together. With these latest enhancements to Lenovo 360, we’re making it simpler, more predictable, and more rewarding for partners to build their business with us. From services-led growth to new technical communities and streamlined tiering, we’re focused on giving partners clear pathways to expand their capabilities, drive profitability, and deliver greater value to their customers in a rapidly evolving market.”

What's new with Lenovo 360

Simplifying Lenovo 360 Tiers for Greater Predictability and Growth

Lenovo is simplifying its partner Tiers to create a more transparent and predictable path to growth, making it easier for partners to understand how they progress, earn, and scale.

The updated model reduces complexity by streamlining tiers and aligning incentives more closely to overall partner performance, combining revenue growth with capability development through skills and accreditations, with a clear progression from Authorized to Gold to Platinum and beyond.

All partners begin at the Authorized level, gaining access to Lenovo 360 Elevate, a reimagined growth engine designed to activate engagement and accelerate partner development.

As partners progress to Gold and higher tiers by growing their business, building skills, and achieving accreditations, they unlock enhanced financial incentives, co-selling opportunities, and expanded access to Lenovo resources, with advanced levels offering increasing recognition and collaboration across Lenovo’s global ecosystem.

To support this journey, Lenovo has introduced an enhanced digital experience through the Lenovo 360 Partner Hub, providing real-time visibility into performance, accreditations, and progression milestones, giving partners greater control and predictability over their growth.

This simplified structure reflects Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to reducing complexity and delivering a more intuitive, rewarding partner experience.

Accelerating Partner Growth with Lenovo 360 for Services

Coming April 13, Lenovo will expand its services-led strategy with Lenovo 360 for Services, a structured pathway designed to help partners support the shift to recurring, outcome-based business models.

As customer demand shifts toward lifecycle services and end-to-end solutions, many partners are looking to build new capabilities while scaling profitability. Lenovo 360 for Services addresses this by providing a clear, flexible framework that enables partners to attach services to every deal and evolve toward higher-value solutions over time.

Through a combination of ready-to-sell attached services and advanced solutions—including digital workplace, hybrid cloud, AI, and Lenovo TruScale™ as-a-service offerings—partners can expand their portfolios, increase deal value, and create predictable recurring revenue streams.

The pathway integrates enablement, sales tools, and incentives into a single experience, giving partners access to training, marketing resources, and guided selling platforms that simplify how they build and deliver services-led solutions.

Lenovo’s momentum in this space reflects growing partner demand, with the company’s services business expanding at twice the rate of the overall IT services market, underscoring the opportunity for partners to accelerate growth through services-led transformation.

Expanding Lenovo 360 for MSPs in new markets

Building on this momentum, Lenovo is also expanding its Lenovo 360 for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) pathway in additional markets, reflecting strong partner adoption and growing demand for as-a-service delivery models.

Following a successful pilot, the MSP pathway will expand across UK&I, Nordics, Benelux, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia, effective April 1. As Lenovo’s most mature and widely adopted partner pathway, Lenovo 360 for MSPs has already engaged thousands of partners globally and is on track to exceed $100 million in revenue by year-end.

By providing MSPs with tailored tools, training, and incentives, Lenovo enables partners to integrate Lenovo solutions into their own managed service offerings, helping them scale recurring revenue, increase profitability, and deliver outcome-based services more efficiently.

“Lenovo 360 for MSP has greatly simplified our support process and boosted profitability,” said Nick Allo, IT Director for SemTech IT Solutions. “By standardizing our offerings around workstations and laptops, we bundle services and accessories to provide a full system to our clients. This allows us to add value, achieve up to 25% margins, and warranty services as an Authorized Service Provider. Overall, Lenovo’s been a strong partner who’s helped us grow and listened along the way.”

Elevating Technical Expertise through Lenovo 360 Tech Connect

Beginning its rollout in April, Lenovo is also launching Lenovo 360 Tech Connect, a global technical community designed to help partners build deeper expertise and deliver more complex, solution-led outcomes for customers.

As demand for AI, hybrid cloud, and advanced infrastructure solutions accelerates, partners face a growing need for deeper technical expertise. Lenovo 360 Tech Connect addresses this by bringing together presales engineers, solution architects, and technical specialists in a collaborative, community-driven environment.

Through the community, members gain access to tailored technical enablement, curated learning resources, and direct engagement with Lenovo experts, enabling them to design, position, and deliver solutions with greater confidence and speed.

The community also introduces new opportunities for recognition and career development, rewarding technical contribution and expertise while strengthening partners’ credibility with customers.

By fostering collaboration and continuous learning, Lenovo 360 Tech Connect reflects Lenovo’s broader commitment to building a more connected, capable partner ecosystem—where technical excellence becomes a key driver of growth and differentiation.

To learn more about Lenovo 360, visit lenovopartnerhub.com/.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402001182/en/

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Contacts
Katelyn Clontz Hill at kclontz@lenovo.com

Andersen Consulting Adds Multiplica

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:50:58 GMT

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Andersen Consulting enters into a Collaboration Agreement with Multiplica, a digital consulting firm that helps organizations design, build, and scale impactful digital experiences.

Founded in Spain with a presence in Latin America and the U.S., Multiplica focuses on user research and discovery, customer experience research, digital strategy, data modeling and analysis, report automation and data visualization, conversion rate optimization, product design, and user experience design. The firm helps organizations accelerate digital transformation by building digital capabilities, teams, and assets that advance expertise across digital products, consulting, and talent development. Multiplica enables clients to forecast emerging trends in digital experience and transform their businesses through enhanced digital channels and customer engagement.

“Collaborating with Andersen Consulting represents an exciting opportunity to extend our reach and impact,” said David Boronat, CEO of Multiplica. “By combining Multiplica’s strengths in digital product development, growth marketing, and technology with Andersen’s global consulting capabilities, we will be able to deliver greater value and innovation to clients around the world.”

“Multiplica’s capabilities and expertise complement our consulting platform,” said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. “Together, we will help organizations accelerate digital transformation and achieve lasting impact through solutions that integrate insight and execution.”

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 50,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 1,000 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402311725/en/

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Contacts
mediainquiries@Andersen.com

The LYCRA Company Announces Strategic Partnership on Renewable LYCRA® Fiber

africa-live — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:07:15 GMT

SHANGHAI - Thursday, 02. April 2026

Agreement with Texhong Advances Sustainable Fiber Applications

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative and sustainable fiber solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Texhong International Group Limited (“Texhong”), one of the world’s largest suppliers of core-spun cotton textiles. Under the agreement, Texhong will exclusively partner with The LYCRA Company to bring Renewable LYCRA® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content* to China’s core-spun yarn sector. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of bio-derived spandex across the global apparel and textile industry.

Renewable LYCRA® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content is the latest achievement in The LYCRA Company’s efforts to develop more sustainable materials. Partly derived from dent corn, this new offering is expected to retain the outstanding elasticity, comfort, and durability of standard fossil-derived LYCRA® fiber. Information from a recent Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment indicated up to a 32 percent** reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil-derived LYCRA® fiber.

“This strategic partnership fully underscores The LYCRA Company’s leading capabilities in sustainable fiber innovation and industrial application,” said Jason Wang, vice president of Asia at The LYCRA Company. “Renewable LYCRA® fiber already boasts a mature foundation for commercial adoption. The partnership with Texhong will further expand its industrial scale. By working closely with value chain partners, we aim to continuously drive the widespread adoption of lower impact, innovative materials across the textile industry.”

Texhong will leverage its well-established textile value chain to develop customized core-spun yarn products using Renewable LYCRA® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content. These products deliver an integrated, sustainable solution from bio-derived raw materials to yarn manufacturing. Moving forward, the two companies will jointly drive collaborative innovation in bio-derived spandex materials, yarn manufacturing, and brand end-use applications.

“Texhong has long been dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of high-value-added cotton textiles and core-spun yarn products,” said Zhou Xia, chief operating officer of Texhong. “Partnering with The LYCRA Company will bring new breakthroughs in bio-based material applications and further improve product sustainability. Together, we will jointly accelerate the innovation and market penetration of bio-derived core-spun yarn solutions.”

Texhong has used LYCRA® brand fibers for nearly two decades and has collaborated with The LYCRA Company on many technological advancements, including patented LYCRA® dualFX® fabric technology. The further deepening of this partnership reflects the companies’ shared commitment to technological progress, operational synergy, and sustainable development. It also demonstrates The LYCRA Company’s ongoing commitment to empowering the textile value chain through continuous innovation.

*30 percent renewable content to be confirmed via third-party testing.

**Comparative Life Cycle Assessment: LYCRA® fiber with Bio-derived PTMEG vs LYCRA® fiber with Fossil-Derived PTMEG, Ramboll, 2026.

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company is a leading global fiber and technology solutions provider to the apparel and personal care industries, committed to offering sustainable products made with renewable, pre- and post-consumer recycled ingredients that reduce waste and help set the stage for circularity. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, United States, it owns the LYCRA®, LYCRA HyFit®, LYCRA® T400®, COOLMAX®, THERMOLITE®, ELASPAN®, SUPPLEX®, and TACTEL® brands. The LYCRA Company adds value to its customers’ products by offering unique innovations that meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance. Learn more at thelycracompany.com.

LYCRA® is a trademark of The LYCRA Company.

About Texhong International Group Limited

Texhong International Group Limited, founded in 1997, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of core-spun cotton textiles, specializing in the manufacturing and sales of high value-added fashionable cotton textiles. The Group is currently ranked among the top three most competitive enterprises in China’s cotton textile industry, is listed among China's Top 500 Enterprises, and is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Guided by its core values of “Revering Heaven, Loving People, Benefiting Self and Others”, the Group is committed to becoming a happiness-driven enterprise characterized by continuous learning and growth, while striving to create a better and more inspiring life through innovation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402505834/en/

Permalink
https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/2042026541811

Contacts
Eva Chen
Eva.Chen@lycra.com

SecurityTech on the Rise: G+D Reports Strong Order Intake and High Resilience in 2025

africa-live — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:37:35 GMT

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- In fiscal year 2025, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) reaffirmed its position as global leader in SecurityTech for mission-critical infrastructure. In a market where security is becoming essential for technological and societal stability, G+D demonstrates strong growth prospects.

In 2025, G+D achieved a record order intake of €3.6 billion (+8%). Revenue increased to €3.2 billion (+1%), although exchange rate effects dampened growth. The key figures underscore the company's strong operational performance and profitability: Adjusted EBIT reached a new high of €211 million. The substantial free cash flow of €119 million provides additional leeway for future investments.

With its equally strong segments – Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology – G+D boasts a resilient portfolio that effectively cushions market volatility. The company's success reflects this strategic strength, combining technological depth, a global presence and operational reliability.

G+D is making targeted investments in the next generation of security technologies, including post-quantum cryptography, cybersecurity, AI-powered security architectures, and highly secure identity solutions. A newly established AI hub in Canada is expanding the global development base and accelerating the transfer of innovative AI technologies into market-ready products.

Targeted M&A transactions, such as the acquisition of Xtec Inc., a U.S. specialist in digital identity and access management, are also expanding the portfolio in high-growth fields and supporting the long-term transformation strategy. The effects of these transactions will be fully reflected in the 2026 financial statements.

Significant large-scale projects highlight G+D’s technological leadership. For example, as the first-ranked contractor in the ECB framework agreement for offline payments for the planned digital euro, G+D is playing an active role in supporting the future of digital currencies in Europe.

“SecurityTech forms the indispensable foundation of modern societies. Record-breaking order intake and profitability and pioneering customer projects in critical security areas, highlight the company’s current performance and future relevance,” explains G+D Group CEO Ralf Wintergerst. “G+D is investing decisively, transforming with a clear vision, and bringing innovations into real-world applications quickly, reliably, and securely. This combination of technology and strategy makes us a reliable partner in an increasingly digitalized world.”

About Giesecke+Devrient

G+D is a global SecurityTech company headquartered in Munich, Germany. The company shapes trust in the digital age, with built-in security technology in Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology. Founded in 1852, G+D now has more than 14,500 employees.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260401768034/en/

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https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/0204202654175

Contacts

nicole.oehl@pr-com.de

Bureau Veritas Launches an Independent AI Assessment Offering for European Enterprises, Developed in Partnership with Amazon Web Services (A

africa-live — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:21:24 GMT

COURBEVOIE, France
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services (TIC), announces the launch of an AI systems audit to help European enterprises assess and demonstrate their compliance with the European Union's "AI Act" regulatory requirements. This offering combines on-site audits, document analysis, and direct testing to deliver an independent maturity report.

Since the EU's AI regulation came into force in 2024, companies have faced major implementation challenges. According to a recent report*, 68% of them struggle to interpret the provisions of the text, while 60% have yet to put in place the governance needed to comply. Non-compliance can cost them up to 7% of annual revenue. Bureau Veritas has developed this new audit offering to help companies identify their compliance gaps and remedy them.

Bureau Veritas's new audit offering comprises a pre-audit, document review, on-site audit, and direct testing, resulting in an independent report on the client's AI maturity. This assessment is built on eight standardized pillars covering the full spectrum of risks: security, robustness, data privacy, governance, fairness, explainability, controllability, and transparency.

To develop this offering, Bureau Veritas relies on AWS AI Risk Intelligence (AIRI), the automated governance solution developed by the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, a global team of AWS experts who help companies design, develop, and deploy AI solutions. AIRI enables automation of document review and direct testing, thus reducing audit cycles from several weeks to just a few days.

Bureau Veritas has adapted this tool to its audit processes to meet the specific needs of its auditors. With this new offering, they have clear indicators enabling them to quickly and precisely identify vulnerabilities in AI systems, transform abstract governance concepts into measurable and actionable information, and formulate remediation recommendations to help companies achieve compliance.

"With this unique offering on the market, we combine Bureau Veritas's expertise in compliance with AWS's expertise in artificial intelligence. We enable companies to better navigate the European regulatory environment and work more broadly towards the emergence of more responsible AI by managing the risks associated with its use," says Marc Roussel, Executive Vice President of Urbanization and Assurance at Bureau Veritas.

The offering targets large enterprises and mid-sized companies in Europe. Deployment will begin in the second quarter of 2026 in several key markets: France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Nordic countries. In the United Kingdom, the offering relies on international standards, notably ISO, applicable independently of the European regulatory framework.

Bureau Veritas plans to deploy this offering beyond Europe and adapt AIRI to integrate other regulatory frameworks and international standards related to AI.

* AWS survey, Unlocking France's AI Potential 2025.

About Bureau Veritas:

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Rimini Street Announces Debt Reduction and Amendment to its Credit Agreement

africa-live — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:58:26 GMT

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), the Software Support and Agentic AI ERP Company™, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software, today announced first quarter debt reduction activities and a recent amendment to its credit agreement.

Debt reduction activities during the first quarter of 2026 totaled $10.9 million, reducing the Company’s outstanding term loan to $58.4 million as of March 31, 2026.

The Company’s credit agreement was amended effective as of March 27, 2026 to increase to $20.0 million the value of Company common stock that could be repurchased per annum, beginning with the Company’s 2026 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter, with a revised total of $50.0 million in permitted stock repurchases from the period beginning January 1, 2026 through the maturity of the facility on April 30, 2029. The Company’s Board previously authorized common stock repurchases of up to $50.0 million, of which $36.7 million remains available until April 2029.

“These actions support our disciplined deployment of resources to drive shareholder value through investments in the business, debt reduction and common share repurchases,” said Seth Ravin, president and CEO, Rimini Street.

About Rimini Street, Inc.

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000® Company, is a proven, trusted global provider of end-to-end, mission-critical enterprise software support, managed services and innovative Agentic AI ERP solutions, and is the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software. The Company has signed thousands of IT service contracts with Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and government organizations who have leveraged the Rimini Smart Path™ methodology to achieve better operational outcomes, billions of US dollars in savings and fund AI and other innovation.

To learn more, please visit www.riministreet.com, and connect with Rimini Street on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this communication are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “currently,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “goal,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “reflect,” “results,” “seem,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would” and other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations of future events, future opportunities, global expansion and other growth initiatives and our investments in such initiatives. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance, nor are these statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Rimini Street’s business, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to our ability to attract new clients or retain and/or sell additional products or services to existing clients; our ability to achieve and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth; cost of revenue, including changes in costs associated with our efforts to grow and the results of any efforts to manage costs to align with current revenue expectations and the expansion of our offerings; the effects of increased intense competition in our industry and our ability to compete effectively; our ability to successfully educate the market regarding the advantages of our support and managed services for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and to sell the products and services comprising our “Rimini Smart Path™” solutions portfolio, including but not limited to our Agentic AI ERP solutions; our intentions with respect to our pricing model and expectations of client savings relative to use of other providers; the evolution of the ERP software management and support landscape facing our clients and prospects; estimates of our total addressable market; the effects of seasonal trends on our results of operations, including the contract renewal cycles for vendor-supplied software support and managed services; the effects of the efforts of enterprise software vendors to sell upgrades or migrations to cloud-based versions of their enterprise software on our results of operations; our ability to scale our operations quickly enough to meet our clients’ changing needs or decrease our costs adequately in response to changing client demand; risks arising from incorporating artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies into our products or services or any deficiencies associated with AI technologies used by us or by our third-party vendors and service providers; our ability to maintain, protect, and enhance our brand; the continuing impact of and our ability to comply with the terms of our July 2025 settlement agreement with Oracle; our wind down of support services for Oracle PeopleSoft software products and the impact on future period revenue and costs incurred related to these efforts; the loss of one or more members of our management team and our ability to attract and retain additional qualified technical, sales and marketing personnel; our ability to expand our marketing and sales capabilities; our ability to avoid interruptions to, or degraded performance of, our services and the impact of any such interruptions or performance problems on our operations; our ability to defend against cybersecurity threats and to comply with data protection and privacy regulations; our expectations regarding new product offerings, innovation solutions, partnerships and alliance programs and our ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships; our ability to expand internationally and the risks associated with global operations; the impact of macro-economic trends, including inflation and changes in foreign exchange rates, as well as general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which we operate and the industries in which our clients operate; our ability to generate significant capital through our operations or to raise additional capital necessary to fund and expand our operations and invest in new services and products; our business plan and our ability to effectively secure and manage our growth and associated investments; risks relating to retention rates, including our ability to accurately forecast retention rates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; changes in laws or regulations, including tax laws or unfavorable outcomes of tax positions we take; tariff costs, including those imposed by the United States government and the potential for retaliatory trade measures by affected countries; our ability to realize benefits from our net operating losses; any negative impact of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters on our reputation or business and the exposure of our business to additional costs or risks from our reporting on such matters; our credit facility’s ongoing debt service obligations and financial and operational covenants on our business and related interest rate risk; the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity requirements; the volatility of our stock price; the amount and timing of repurchases, if any, under our stock repurchase program and our ability to enhance stockholder value through such program; our ability to maintain our good standing with the United States government and international governments and capture new contracts with governmental entities/agencies; the occurrence of catastrophic events that may disrupt our business or that of our current and prospective clients; future acquisitions of, or investments in, complementary companies, products, subscriptions or technologies; and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Rimini Street’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2026, and as updated from time to time by Rimini Street’s future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings by Rimini Street with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Rimini Street’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Rimini Street anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Rimini Street’s assessments to change. However, while Rimini Street may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Rimini Street specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Rimini Street’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

© 2026 Rimini Street, Inc. All rights reserved. “Rimini Street” is a registered trademark of Rimini Street, Inc. in the United States and other countries, and Rimini Street, the Rimini Street logo, and combinations thereof, and other marks marked by TM are trademarks of Rimini Street, Inc. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, and unless otherwise specified, Rimini Street claims no affiliation, endorsement, or association with any such trademark holder or other companies referenced herein.

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Contacts
Investor Relations Contact:
Dean Pohl
Rimini Street, Inc.
+1 925 523-7636
dpohl@riministreet.com

Media Relations Contact:
Janet Ravin
Rimini Street, Inc.
+1 702 285-3532
pr@riministreet.com

Danube Properties Unveils AED 3.5M+ ‘Greenz’ Master Community in Dubai’s High-Growth Academic City

africa-live — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:52:37 GMT

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, 01. April 2026

Danube Properties has unveiled Greenz By Danube, its first large-scale integrated community featuring premium townhouses and villas - marking a major milestone in its expansion into master-planned developments.

Strategically located in Dubai International Academic City, near Dubai Silicon Oasis, Greenz sits within one of Dubai’s most promising future growth corridors. The area is home to over 100,000 residents and will benefit from the upcoming District IO, a major technology hub aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Featuring villas and townhouses with exclusive sky gardens, Greenz By Danube’s completion is expected in 36 to 40 months with handover scheduled for Q4 2029.

Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said: “Greenz by Danube sets new benchmark for premium master communities - a first-of-its-kind living experience in Dubai. Designed with low-density planning, it ensures prime location and high appreciation guarantee. With 50+ luxury amenities and fully furnished, designer-curated interiors with Dolce Vita, every detail reflects elegance and distinction. Greenz is not just a community - it is a luxury lifestyle experience of a lifetime.”

The development offers 3- and 4-bedroom townhouses, 5-bedroom semi-detached villas, and 5-bedroom twin villas, catering to both families and investors.

Connectivity is a key highlight, with Emirates Road just 2 minutes away, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road within 6 minutes, Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa 20 minutes away, and Dubai International Airport reachable in 17 minutes. The upcoming Blue Line Metro is expected to further enhance accessibility and long-term value.

Focused on lifestyle and wellness, Greenz will feature 50+ amenities across five hubs, including beach-inspired spaces, sports courts, fitness and recovery zones, green areas, and family spaces.

With prices starting from AED 3.5 million and a flexible 1% monthly payment plan, Greenz presents a strong investment opportunity in a high-growth location.

About Danube Properties

Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group founded in 1993 by Rizwan Sajan, is among the UAE’s leading private real estate developers. Known for pioneering the 1% payment plan, the company delivers fully furnished apartments complemented by over 40 lifestyle amenities, with a strong track record of quality construction and timely delivery.

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Contacts
Avinash Lohana

enquiry@danubeproperties.ae

+9718005757