Business
Save the Consumers Condemns MultiChoice’s Price Discriminations Between Nigerian and South African Subscribers
South African subscribers benefit from reduced pricing, such as the “Add Movies” bolt-on slashed by 38% to R49, alongside additional channels and enhanced streaming features.
Save the Consumers, a Nigerian non-governmental organisation committed to defending consumer rights, strongly condemns the recent 21 percent price increase imposed by MultiChoice Nigeria on its DStv and GOtv services.
In a comparisons of the subscriptions price being paid by subscribers in Nigeria and South Africa, Save the Consumers, juxtaposed that the MultiChoice’s price adjustments in Nigeria was in stark contrast to the company’s decision to reduce prices by up to 38% and enhance value for its South African subscribers during the same period.
Dr. Aliyu Ilias , the Executive Director of Save the Consumers, argued that the action was not only insensitive and exploitative, but also blatantly discriminatory.
He said noted that less than a year after the May 2024 price hike in Nigeria, the new increase openly defies a directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to suspend all price adjustments pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The statement reads:”It reflects MultiChoice’s clear disregard for both Nigerian consumers and regulatory authority. Even more troubling is the company’s simultaneous enhancement of service offerings and reduction of prices for South African customers.
In South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products, added new channels, and introduced features that improve the user experience, all while acknowledging the financial pressures faced by South African households.
This double standard, lowering prices at home while increasing them in Nigeria, amounts to economic discrimination and reinforces long-standing concerns about MultiChoice’s exploitative approach toward the Nigerian market.
It is indefensible for MultiChoice to cite inflation in Nigeria as justification for the hike while offering consumer-friendly pricing in South Africa.
This reflects a disturbing double standard, with Nigerian consumers continuing to suffer under a near-monopolistic market structure that MultiChoice exploits with impunity.
While MultiChoice claims the price hike is necessary to deliver “world-class content,” Nigerian subscribers still face persistent challenges that remain unaddressed despite repeated complaints.
These include repetitive content, frequent service disruptions, and poor value for money.
Rather than resolving these issues, MultiChoice has chosen to penalise its loyal Nigerian customers with higher prices, once again proving that profit, not service or fairness, is its primary motivation.
Meanwhile, South African subscribers benefit from reduced pricing, such as the “Add Movies” bolt-on slashed by 38% to R49, alongside additional channels and enhanced streaming features.
MultiChoice CEO Byron Du Plessis’s justification that these changes are due to “financial pressures faced by households” further demonstrates the company’s hypocritical and disingenuous treatment of Nigerian consumers, who are themselves grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis.
MultiChoice’s dominance in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector, enabled by a lack of effective competition, has emboldened its monopolistic practices.
The ease with which it increases prices without fear of losing market share highlights the urgent need for regulatory intervention. Nigerian consumers are effectively held captive in a market where choice is limited and abuse is rampant.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must take decisive steps to foster genuine competition in the pay-TV sector and dismantle MultiChoice’s stranglehold on the market.
We call on Nigerian consumers to explore alternative platforms and consider boycotting DStv and GOtv until MultiChoice demonstrates genuine respect for their rights.
Save the Consumers demands the immediate reversal of the March 2025 price hike, compensation for subscribers affected by repeated, unjustified price increases and service deficiencies, and full compliance with the FCCPC’s directive.
We urge the FCCPC to initiate legal proceedings against MultiChoice for its defiance of regulatory orders and its disregard for consumer welfare.
A transparent investigation into its pricing model, service quality, and compliance with Nigerian competition and consumer protection laws is essential.
We call on Nigerian consumers to explore alternative platforms and consider boycotting DStv and GOtv until MultiChoice demonstrates genuine respect for their rights.
MultiChoice’s discriminatory pricing, rewarding South African subscribers with lower costs and better services while exploiting Nigerians, is a glaring example of unchecked corporate greed. Save the Consumers stands firmly with Nigerian subscribers in rejecting this injustice and calls on all stakeholders to hold MultiChoice accountable.
The Nigerian market deserves dignity, not exploitation. No company should be allowed to operate above the law or treat Nigerian consumers as second-class subscribers.”
Business
Presidency replies Emir Sanusi on “Why are we still borrowing and borrowing?”
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE.
The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
•Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on Friday, responded to a question asked by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, about a fresh $516 million foreign loan President Bola Tinubu was seeking the Senate ‘s approval to borrow.
Emir Sanusi’s remarks come amid reports that the Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan by ₦11.31 trillion, pushing total projected borrowing to ₦29.20 trillion.
Speaking during an interview published by News Central TV on Friday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said : ” We’ve removed the subsidy. We’re now spending it. .. If you’re not paying the subsidy and you’ve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for?”
In response, the presidency stated that the Tinubu administration is borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of the economy, especially infrastructure.
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE. The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
Business
Dangote proposes to build refineries in East Africa if …
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa’s leading industrialist and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said the refinery in Lagos can be replicated in East Africa with the right support.
Dangote made the pledge at the infrastructure summit – the Africa We Build Summit 2026 – on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit
Dangote said: “I can give commitment to the two presidents that were here; if they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria – 650,000 barrels per day.”
The presidents he was referring to are Kenya’s President William Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
The proposed refinery Dangote was referring to would be built in Tanga, Tanzania. A pipeline would be linked to Kenya’s Mombasa port to serve the entire East African region. Kenya, Uganda, and neighbouring eastern African countries would benefit.
On the readiness, Dangote said: “There is nothing that can stop it. We have done the one in Nigeria and that’s why we are taking the bold move which was started already. Piling has started, while building to a scale – 1.4 million barrels per day will give us the largest refinery – world number two.
“It is 10% of entire United States of America’s refining capacity.
And this is coming with lot of, you know, petrochemicals. If we look at it today in Nigeria, if not because we have polypropylene, all the plants, all businesses would collapse.
“Cement is packed in polypropylene, flour, rice, grains, everything. So nothing… and the cost now has shot up between just 45 days – from $900 to 3$3,000. There is no way you can afford that. You can’t afford it.
“So, that is why we must learn how to build self-sufficiency. Right now, we have big financial institutions that are very hungry for big ticket items. And we’re also big in terms of our own vision.
“So, it is possible. Africans can do it. Let us not be scared. No. Let us not come and be convinced, as I know somebody needs to carry our own material to go and produce and bring the items here.
“I must really thank the President of Uganda for taking this bold move: stopping the export.
They will be forced. They would come (and) produce. Why do you have to take your material (away), then you’ll bring it back? We have educated people. We have big financial institutions. It’s not like before. Things have changed.”
Business
CBN increases ATM card issuance fee by 50% to N1,500
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has increased the fee for issuance and replacement of Automated Terminal Machine (ATM) debit/ credit cards by 50 percent to N1,500 from N1,000.
The apex bank also scrapped the N50 monthly charges for Naira Debit/ Credit Card maintenance which usually includes 7.5 percent Value Added Tax but said customers with Foreign Currency denominated debit/credit cards will continue to pay maintenance fee of $10 per annum.
CBN disclosed this in its Exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions, OFIs, in Nigeria 2026.
The apex bank also reiterated among other things that the cost of ATM transactions on Merchants PoS will be borne by the Merchant and not the customers.
CBN said: “ATM card Issuance/Replacement charges for regular/basic debit/credit card is N1, 500. “Charges for Premium Debit/Credit/Hybrid Card are negotiable Virtual cards at no charge. “Merchant Service Charge (MSC) (charge to be borne by the merchant).
There shall be no charge to the cardholder paying the merchant.
“All card transactions done by cardholders at a merchant location shall be free of charge to the cardholder, i.e. the MSC shall be borne by the merchant.
The MSC payable by a merchant (0.5 percent) subject to a cap of N10,000 shall be the same irrespective of the technology or payment methods.”
In a circular to Banks, Other Financial Institutions and the Public signed by the Director Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Dr. Rita Sike, CBN said that the review of the guide to charges by banks and OFIs and non bank Financial Institutions was to fulfill its mandate to promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria accelerate the adoption of innovative financial services, financial inclusion and micropayments/transaction.
(Vanguard)
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