Nigerians visiting Thailand can now apply for visas electronically.

The Royal Thai embassy in Abuja set the applications’ start date at January 1 after announcing they were no longer accepting physical applications.

The policy also applies to citizens of Ghana, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Chad.

In a statement, the embassy said all applicants must be residing within the aforementioned countries when applying for the visa.

The embassy said it has the right to cancel the visa applications should the applicants fail to provide evidence of their presence within the aforementioned countries.

“Travel booking confirmation must be provided upon submission of your visa application. This includes return flight details showing applicant’s name, departure and return date, all flights en route from the aforementioned countries to Thailand,” the embassy said.

“Upon receiving your application, it takes within 5 working days to get your visa.”

The embassy said the processing time can take longer in certain cases.

Intending travellers were advised to apply for a visa at least 4-6 weeks before the departure date but not more than three months before.

All applications must be completed online via www.thaievisa.go.th

West Power and Gas Limited (WPG), the parent company of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), is close to selling its entire stake in the electricity company.

According to a recent report by Nairametrics, sources with direct knowledge of the transaction said a consortium that won the bid has paid the minimum 10 percent commitment fee.

The consortium comprises North-South Power (NSP), owners of Shiroro Dam; Stanbic Infrastructure Fund, and Axxela, a oil and gas company.

According to the sources, the consortium won the bid to acquire a stake in Eko Disco following a competitive process that began in early 2024.

The parties are now in the conditions precedent phase, which requires a set of conditions to be met before the agreement can be finalised.

A source familiar with the transaction told the publication that NSP benefits from the acquisition because it gives the power generation company direct control and insight into the DisCo’s operations, allowing it to access cash flow.

The recent shift to bilateral contracts between distribution and generation companies, according to another source, offers power generation companies additional incentives to purchase DisCos.

Citing examples, the publication said Transcorp Power, the owners of Ughelli Power Plant, holds a significant stake in Abuja DisCo, while Sahara Power, the owners of Egbin Power Plant, owns a majority stake in Ikeja Electric.

The report added that the deal is expected to close early in 2025, with a transaction size that could exceed $200 million while the final purchase consideration will be determined upon completion of the conditions precedent.

Africa is home to some billionaires who have done very well in areas like technology, manufacturing, and real estate. Most of Africa’s wealthiest people are older, but a few younger people have made their mark with outstanding achievements.

According to Forbes’ annual billionaire rankings, here are five of the youngest billionaires in Africa, with the youngest being in his 40s.

Tope Awotona (43 Years) – $1.4 Billion

Tope Awotona, from Nigeria, is the founder of Calendly, a scheduling software company valued at $3 billion. His net worth is $1.4 billion, making him one of the wealthiest Black billionaires in the world.

Awotona grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia, after a tragic incident where his father was killed during a carjacking. This loss motivated him to work hard and follow his entrepreneurial dreams.

After earning a degree in business, Awotona worked for companies like IBM before using his savings to launch Calendly in 2013. Today, Calendly has over 10 million users worldwide, helping businesses organise their schedules more efficiently. His story is one of resilience and determination.

Mohammed Dewji (49 Years) – $1.8 Billion

Mohammed Dewji is a Tanzanian businessman and owner of MeTL Group, Tanzania’s largest domestic company. MeTL operates in 11 African countries, working in industries like manufacturing, trade, and finance. The company is valued at over $1.5 billion.

Dewji took over the business from his father and turned it into one of Africa’s most successful enterprises.

He is also a philanthropist, supporting healthcare, education, and community projects in Tanzania.

Patrice Motsepe (62 Years) – $2.7 Billion

Patrice Motsepe is a South African billionaire and the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, a company involved in mining gold, platinum, and other metals. His net worth is $2.7 billion.

Motsepe is also the owner of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and holds shares in Sanlam, a financial services company. He became the first Black African billionaire to appear on Forbes’ list in 2008. Through his foundation, Motsepe supports education, healthcare, and job creation in South Africa.

Strive Masiyiwa (63 Years) – $1.8 Billion

Strive Masiyiwa, from Zimbabwe, is the founder of Econet Wireless, a telecom company operating in Africa and beyond. He also owns shares in Liquid Telecom, which provides internet services across the continent.

Masiyiwa’s ventures include renewable energy, finance, and media, contributing to his $1.8 billion net worth. In 1996, he and his family started the Higher Life Foundation, which helps provide education to African children. His dedication to improving lives and his success in business make him an inspiration.

Yasseen Mansour (63 Years) – $1.2 Billion

Yasseen Mansour is an Egyptian billionaire with a stake in the Mansour Group, a company founded by his father in 1952. The Mansour Group is a major distributor of GM automobiles and Caterpillar machinery in Egypt and other countries. Mansour is also the chairman of Palm Hills Developments, one of Egypt’s largest real estate companies.