SK Group to invest $1.36 trillion in AI chips and data centres

The South Korean giant is betting heavily on both chip production and data centre growth

South Korean conglomerate SK Group has announced a massive 2,100 trillion won ($1.36 trillion) investment roadmap targeted at domestic semiconductor manufacturing and AI data centre deployments.

The strategic push focuses heavily on securing upstream supply chain dominance and scaling computing infrastructure to reposition South Korea on the global AI stage.

“We should not simply export AI products. We need to export intelligence itself while building a domestic market for AI-driven intelligence,” said SK Group’s chairman Chey Tae-won, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.. “To achieve that, we will rapidly build AI factories in the form of large-scale AI data centers.”

SK Hynix plots memory chip production expansion

The group’s semiconductor division, SK Hynix, is spearheading the hardware allocation by committing 1,100 trillion won ($706 billion) to scale production capacity for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and next-generation DRAM and NAND flash components critical for AI workloads.

Key capital projects within the chip investment include:

• Cheongju: 100 trillion won ($65 billion) allocated for site expansion.
• Southwest Cluster: 400 trillion won ($261 billion) earmarked to construct an entirely new semiconductor production hub.
• Yongin Mega-Cluster: 600 trillion won ($392 billion USD) dedicated to fast-tracking the deployment of its primary semiconductor hub. The group has pulled forward the completion timeline for this project to 2033, moving it 12 years ahead of its original 2045 deadline.

The broader long-term vision outlines a sustained capital expenditure of approximately 100 trillion won ($65.3 billion) annually in South Korea over the next decade, according to Chairman Chey.

SK Telecom pivots to GPUaaS and regional infrastructure

In tandem, telecom unit SK Telecom will deploy 1,000 trillion won ($642 billion) to build out physical AI data centres. The operator intends to establish 15 GW of AI data centre capacity across South Korea by 2035, with an interim target of 5 GW operational by 2029.

The initial phase involves a 140 trillion won ($91.5 billion) investment targeting the southeastern Yeongnam region to create a localised AI hub. This rollout begins with a 100MW hyperscale AI data centre in Ulsan, scheduled to begin operations in Q4 2027. SKT plans to expand this site by an additional 900MW, alongside another 1GW deployment elsewhere in the region.

“The massive AI data centers could transform the region into a hub for the verification and expansion of manufacturing AI, when combined with the manufacturing capabilities in the region,” SK Telecom’s CEO Jung Jai-hun announced during a public briefing with South Korean president Lee Jae Myung last week.

SK Group’s multi-year investment plans arrive amid unprecedented infrastructure spend across the global technology landscape; US hyperscalers, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle, are forecast to spend a combined $600 billion to $750 billion USD in 2026 alone. While SK Group’s investments pale in comparison to these true giants, it nonetheless places the organisation firmly as a regional competitor.

For a telco, on the other hand, the scale of these AI investments is broadly unrivalled. SK Telecom has long signalled its intent to shake off its role as a traditional telco and embracing a new persona as an ‘AI factory’. Backed by architectural alignment with NVIDIA, the operator aims to leverage this massive footprint to position itself as a major GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

SK Group has interntional AI ambitions too. Last month, SK Telecom said it would invest 738 billion won ($480 million) into the newly formed ‘AI Co.’, a US-based subsidiary of memory giant SK Hynix created in January by repurposing its US flash memory firm Solidigm. The business, which is intended to operate as a strategic investment and ecosystem vehicle, is backd $10 billion from SK Hynix and a further $250 million and $380 million from SK Inc. and SK Innovation, respectively. By unifying upstream chip manufacturing via SK Hynix with mega-scale data center infrastructure from SK Telecom, SK Group is establishing a strong foundation for global AI development. This multi-trillion-won capital strategy effectively shifts the conglomerate from a regional component supplier into a high-margin, full-stack intelligence powerhouse capable of reshaping the Asia-Pacific tech landscape. SK Group to invest $1.36 trillion in AI chips and data centres

Read More........ → August 10, 2026

India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments

India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s ambitions to emerge as a global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse are receiving a major boost as global technology giants have committed nearly $80 billion towards AI and cloud infrastructure in the country over the next few years, strengthening its position as a key innovation and digital infrastructure hub, a report has said.

The latest push came after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced an additional $13 billion investment in AI and cloud infrastructure in India by 2030, taking the company's total planned investment in the country to $48 billion over the next five years, according to an analysis by One World Outlook.

The report further highlighted that the fresh commitment includes more than $21 billion earmarked for expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.

In addition, the investment adds to similar commitments by other global technology companies.

Microsoft has announced $17.5 billion in investments towards AI and cloud infrastructure in India through 2029, while Google has committed $15 billion over five years to establish its first AI hub in Visakhapatnam, it added.

Together, these investments amount to nearly $80 billion, reflecting growing confidence among global technology firms in India's AI ecosystem.

This momentum to a combination of government policy support, a large technology talent pool, expanding digital infrastructure and a rapidly growing domestic market, the report said.

The government's IndiaAI Mission -- launched with a budget of about $1.25 billion -- aims to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem by supporting computing infrastructure, indigenous AI models, datasets, startups, skilling and responsible AI development, it added.

The government has also operationalised a $12 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to promote private sector investment in emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum computing.

Meanwhile, India is witnessing rapid expansion in digital infrastructure.

As per industry estimates, AI funding in India rose 58 per cent year-on-year in 2025, according to the report.It further noted that with over 1.5 million engineering graduates entering the workforce annually and a large digital consumer base, India is increasingly being viewed as a preferred destination for developing and deploying AI applications at scale. India's AI ambitions get boost from nearly $80 billion Big Tech investments | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 17, 2026

Airtel and partners pump $1bn into Nxtra data centres

The transaction is designed to accelerate Nxtra’s buildout of large-scale and edge facilities to serve enterprises, hyperscalers, and government customers across India.

Bharti Airtel has secured a $1 billion equity infusion for its data centre arm Nxtra Data from a consortium led by Alpha Wave Global, with participation from The Carlyle Group, Anchorage Capital and Airtel itself, the company said.

Under the terms disclosed, Alpha Wave Global will contribute $435 million, Carlyle $240 million, Anchorage Capital $35 million, with Airtel investing the remainder. Final investor stakes will be subject to post-closing adjustments and customary approvals.

According to reporting, the deal will see Nxtra valued at roughly $3.1 billion, with Airtel remaining the controlling shareholder.

The capital will be applied primarily to capacity expansion, with Nxtra planning to grow from about 300 MW today to a targeted 1 GW, aiming t control roughly a quarter of India’s data centre market.

Headquartered in New Delhi, Nxtra already operates 14 major data centres and more than 120 edge facilities across India, with recent openings in Pune and active development of AI-ready campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata.As always, the deal is subject to typical regulatory approvals. Airtel and partners pump $1bn into Nxtra data centres - Total Telecom:

Read More........ → July 15, 2026

Tata Motors to increase prices up to 1.5 pc across PV portfolio from July 1

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) on Friday announced an increase of up to 1.5 per cent in prices across its passenger vehicle portfolio, including internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) models, effective July 1.

The company announced the price revision through a filing on the exchanges.

According to the company, the increase is aimed at partially offsetting the impact of rising input costs and continued inflationary pressures.

TMPV said it continues to absorb a significant portion of the cost escalation internally, while passing on a part of the increase to customers through the latest price adjustment.

The company added that the extent of the price hike will vary across models and variants.

The move will apply across Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle range spanning conventional fuel-powered vehicles as well as electric offerings, it added.

According to the automaker, the revision has been calibrated to ensure that the overall value proposition of its products remains intact despite cost pressures.

Following this, shares of the TMPV traded higher at Rs 385.60 on the BSE.

Other leading automobile companies have increasingly resorted to calibrated price hikes in recent months to protect margins while continuing investments in new products and technology.

Last month, Hyundai Motor India had announced a price increase of up to Rs 12,800 across its model range from June, citing rising input costs, elevated commodity prices and higher operational expenses.

Similarly, Maruti Suzuki India announced a price hike of up to Rs 30,000 across its portfolio from June, attributing the decision to sustained increases in input costs.In addition, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) had revised prices for its SUV and commercial vehicle range earlier this year. Tata Motors to increase prices up to 1.5 pc across PV portfolio from July 1 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 18, 2026

Zopa Becomes First UK Bank to Secure New ‘Targeted Support’ Regulatory Approval to Close the Advice Gap

Digital bank pioneer Zopa has secured regulatory approval from British authorities to deliver targeted support for its retail investment customers. The milestone makes Zopa the first British bank among the UK’s 350-plus banks and building societies to secure the newly launched permission, positioning it at the forefront of a major shift in how financial institutions guide consumer wealth.

The approval, which stems from a new regulatory framework introduced on April 6, creates a regulatory middle ground designed specifically to sit between generic, one-size-fits-all guidance and fully regulated, costly financial advice.

By gaining this authorization, Zopa can now use customer data and behavioral insights to offer tailored nudges and actionable suggestions. These prompts will give users visibility into the decisions and portfolios of consumers with similar financial profiles, providing a clear pathway for the estimated 15 million Britons currently holding excess cash to start investing with greater confidence.

Dismantling the complexity barrier

Merve Ferrero, chief strategy officer at Zopa Bank

The rollout comes as regulators and fintechs make a concerted push to close the UK’s long-standing “advice gap,” a structural hurdle that has historically left mass-market consumers without the specialized tools needed to transition out of cash savings.

“Investing has felt too complex, intimidating and inaccessible for far too long,” said Merve Ferrero, chief strategy officer at Zopa Bank. “At Zopa, we’re changing that by removing unnecessary jargon and friction, and giving customers the confidence to grow their wealth with peace of mind. Our new permissions allow us to take that mission even further—delivering more tailored support and an intuitive investing experience.”

The sentiment was echoed by Kate Dwyer, head of UK and Northern Europe Distribution at Invesco, who emphasized that targeted support permissions have the potential to significantly drive early-stage investor engagement. “Zopa’s focus on simplicity, education and customer experience is helping to make investing more accessible,” Dwyer stated.

The infrastructure under the hood

Designed primarily for first-time investors looking to make their money work harder, the Zopa Investments platform originally debuted last year in partnership with global asset management giant Invesco, which oversees more than $2trillion in assets.

The platform offers a simplified approach to wealth management via two ready-made portfolios:

• Balanced Fund: Tailored for moderated risk, delivering a historical track record of 4.5 per cent average annual returns.
• Bold Fund: Calibrated for higher growth, achieving 9.3 per cent average annual returns over the same tracking period.

The investment infrastructure is seamlessly integrated into Zopa’s native architecture via API connectivity provided by Berlin-headquartered fintech Upvest. The streamlined, fractionalized setup allows users to open an investment portfolio in minutes, with a minimum entry threshold of just £1.

A position of financial strength

The regulatory milestone follows a period of exceptional financial momentum for the digital lender, which now boasts over 2 million customers. For the financial year ending December 31, 2025, Zopa reported that its profits nearly doubled year-on-year to reach £65million, driven by sustained double-digit asset growth.

The digital bank’s bottom-line performance is heavily supported by its active rollout of internal efficiencies, particularly across its Generative AI framework. Zopa’s proprietary AI setups now manage approximately 45,000 customer service interactions every month, fully automating between 70 and 75 per cent of all incoming servicing requests while elevating overall customer satisfaction (CSAT) benchmarks by 10 per cent.Having previously been highlighted by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as one of the UK’s fastest-growing corporate successes, Zopa’s latest regulatory clearance signals a major evolution in how digital banks intend to cross-sell wealth management products to a traditionally cash-reliant consumer base. Zopa Becomes First UK Bank to Secure New ‘Targeted Support’ Regulatory Approval to Close the Advice Gap

Read More........ → June 16, 2026

Orange acquires 100% ownership of MasOrange

Press Release

Posted by Harry Baldock, Orange today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the 50% stake in MasOrange held by Lorca, its joint venture partner in Spain. The Group now owns 100% of the operator’s capital and will fully consolidate MasOrange’s results in its financial statements from going forward.

This transaction follows the signing of a binding agreement with Lorca on 12 December 2025, under which Orange agreed to acquire full ownership of MasOrange for a cash consideration of €4.25 billion. Since then, Orange has obtained all the necessary approvals for the transaction to be completed, including from the European Commission.

A key milestone in the Group’s strategy in Spain

Christel Heydemann, Chief Executive Officer of the Orange group, said: “Acquiring full ownership of MasOrange is a strategic step of our Trust the future plan and strengthens Orange’s position in Spain, our second-largest market in Europe. It paves the way for accelerated industrial, operational and commercial synergies, supporting greater value creation. With full ownership comes full agility, MasOrange can now move at full speed backed by the strength and scale of the Orange group.”

Meinrad Spenger, Chief Executive Officer of MasOrange, added: “By becoming fully part of the Orange group, MasOrange now has an even stronger foundation for future growth. It will allow us to accelerate our momentum in the Spanish market, supported by a greater capacity for investment and innovation as well as global expertise. This is good news for the Spanish consumers, enterprises and public administrations, since we will continue to provide them high-quality and innovative services, while benefiting from the Orange group’s industrial strength and scale to create even more value in Spain.”

As a follow-up to this transaction, Meinrad Spenger will join the Orange group’s Executive Committee. This appointment reflects the strategic importance of Spain for the Group and will further leverage his recognized experience in the telecommunications market and his leadership in advancing MasOrange’s development.

MasOrange is currently the leading operator in the Spanish market by customer base and customer satisfaction. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, it had 26 million mobile customers and 7.1 million fixed broadband customers. MasOrange relies on the most advanced leading fiber and 5G mobile infrastructure, enabling it to provide high-quality connectivity and other innovative services across the country to meet the needs of public administrations, consumer and business customers.After closing, the Group intends to refinance MasOrange financial debt over time. Orange acquires 100% ownership of MasOrange - Total Telecom

Read More........ → June 15, 2026

Nuclear energy included in JPMorganChase USD1.5 trillion initiative

(Image: Thomas Breher/Pixabay)

JPMorganChase has announced it will make direct investments of up to USD10 billion as part of a USD1.5 trillion initiative to address pressing needs in key sectors from critical minerals to frontier technologies, including nuclear energy.

The USA-based financial services firm's newly announced Security and Resiliency Initiative is a 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in industries critical to national economic security and resiliency. The initiative, which expands the firm's existing plans to "facilitate and finance" some USD1 trillion over the next decade, will see it make direct equity and venture capital investments to help select companies, primarily in the USA, to enhance their growth, spur innovation, and accelerate strategic manufacturing.

JPMorganChase said it will focus on four key areas, with 27 sub-areas, to support companies across all sizes and development stages by offering advice, providing financing, and, in some cases, investing capital. The initial list of 27 sub-areas will be refined and augmented over time.

The four key areas are:

• Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing, including critical minerals, pharmaceutical precursors and robotics

• Defence and Aerospace, including defence technology, autonomous systems, drones, next-gen connectivity and secure communications

• Energy Independence and Resilience, including battery storage, grid resilience and distributed energy

• Frontier and Strategic Technologies, including AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing

Nuclear energy - specifically, "power generated through next generation nuclear tech" - is identified as a sub-area under the Energy Independence and Resilience key theme. "Diversified sources of energy production and the modernisation and resiliency of the grid will be imperative to the national interest and advancing artificial intelligence," the company notes. The other sub-areas under this theme are grid resilience, distributed energy, battery storage and solar.

"It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing - all of which are essential for our national security," said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase. "Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of America's economy. America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need."

The new initiative "includes efforts like ensuring reliable access to life-saving medicines and critical minerals, defending our nation, building energy systems to meet AI-driven demand and advancing technologies like semiconductors and data centres", Dimon added.

The firm also said it will advocate for policies that can accelerate these efforts, including research and development, permitting, procurement and regulations conducive to growth. "As the bank intensifies its focus on these essential industries, it will also continue to work closely with its community and business partners to champion these sectors, foster talent and support skills training to ensure companies can fill critical jobs," it said.With operations worldwide, JPMorganChase & Co had USD4.6 trillion in assets and USD357 billion in stockholders' equity as of 30 June, and serves its customers under the JP Morgan and Chase brands Nuclear energy included in JPMorganChase USD1.5 trillion initiative

Read More........ → April 02, 2026

Terrapinn acquires FMS: the Future of Memory and Storage

Posted by Harry Baldock | Press Release, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Terrapinn, the global events company, is delighted to announce the acquisition of FMS: the Future of Memory and Storage from Conference Concepts Inc. FMS is widely regarded as the world’s most important and credible event dedicated to memory and storage technologies.

Held annually in Santa Clara, California, FMS has spent two decades as the essential meeting point for the global memory ecosystem – from leading semiconductor manufacturers to system architects and hyper-scalers. The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment as the industry faces an “unprecedented mismatch” in supply and demand, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the surge in demand for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM).

“We are absolutely delighted to announce the acquisition of Future of Memory and Storage,” said Terrapinn CEO Greg Hitchen. “FMS is a significant addition to our global portfolio of technology events. We look forward to serving the memory and storage industry and will ensure that the technical excellence and authority of FMS is maintained, and then surpassed, as we invest in its next phase of global growth”.

FMS was created and nurtured by Lance Leventhal and Chip Stockton, principals of Conference Concepts Inc, growing it from its roots as the Flash Memory Summit into an all-encompassing industry showcase.

Chip Stockton, President of Conference Concepts Inc, said: “We have created a really important event for the memory and storage community and have carefully nurtured it over many years. But we now feel it is the right time to pass it on to a larger company for its next phase of growth. We are really impressed by Terrapinn’s commitment to the sector and are sure they are the right fit to take FMS forward while ensuring a seamless transition for all our customers and stakeholders”.

The 20th-anniversary edition, FMS 2026, is scheduled for August 4–6, 2026, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The event will feature a multi-stream conference, a large-scale global exhibition, and a Technical Pro Series focused on the infrastructure enabling the next generation of AI, data centers, and automotive applications.

Conference Concepts Inc was represented by John McGovern of Grimes, McGovern and Associates.

Terrapinn would like to thank Chip Stockton, John McGovern, our advisers and team.

About Terrapinn: Terrapinn is a global events company with businesses in the USA, Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. www.terrapinn.com

About Conference Concepts Inc: Founded in 1994, Conference Concepts is a professional conference management company focused on cutting-edge technologies and high-growth technical events.For further information please contact: rob.chambers@totaltele.com Terrapinn acquires FMS: the Future of Memory and Storage - Total Telecom

Read More........ → March 31, 2026

AT&T to invest $250bn to expand and enhance networks

Press Release: Posted by Harry Baldock, AT&T (NYSE: T) is proud to announce an investment and spend of more than $250 billion in the future of U.S. advanced connectivity, building the high-speed networks and resilience required for the next era of innovation and economic growth.

Building on the legacy of founder Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone call 150 years ago, AT&T is reaffirming its leadership as the company driving America’s connected economy so every community, family, and business can participate in the promise of American progress.

“Today, we’re committing more than $250 billion to increase U.S. connectivity competitiveness and expand access to AT&T’s leading fiber and wireless networks – the best way to get on the internet,” said John Stankey, Chairman and CEO of AT&T. “Current Federal telecommunications policy is as strong as I’ve seen in my career, making our commitment to invest possible. We look forward to serving American communities and businesses for the next 150 years.”

What began with a single copper wire has evolved into the nation’s largest converged network of fiber internet and 5G wireless services, connecting people at home, at work, and on the go.

This next chapter of investment and long-term operating commitment builds on that foundation through three strategic areas: deploying always-on connectivity, investing in people and communities, and innovating to secure America’s connected economy. The current tax and regulatory environment are the most conducive to such investment in decades.

Deploying Always-On Connectivity

Ubiquitous networks that provide reliable, always-on connectivity are the critical conduits that make Artificial Intelligence, autonomous technologies, cloud computing, and data-heavy digital services possible. AT&T’s investment will expand future-ready fiber and wireless services, modernize critical infrastructure, and strengthen network resilience and security to support communities and the economy for decades to come, including:

• Accelerating the deployment of fiber, 5G home internet, wireless and satellite across urban, suburban, and rural America

AT&T’s satellite collaboration with AST SpaceMobile will extend coverage into remote areas.

• Strengthening FirstNet, Built by AT&T – the nation’s first and only network built with and for first responders – and modernizing vital infrastructure for public safety and resilience

With AT&T Dynamic Defense, we deliver the only network connectivity with comprehensive built-in security controls.

• Laying the groundwork for the next wave of American technological leadership through smart infrastructure and network optimization

AT&T’s Wi-Fi Personalization provides a tailored home experience that matches our customers’ daily habits, and AT&T Turbo Live allows customers to boost their data experience at live events to get the reliable connection they want, even in crowded venues.

Investing in People and Communities

Building the nation’s connectivity backbone requires dedicated, highly trained people. With approximately 110,000 U.S. employees today, AT&T will continue investing in America’s workforce, including supporting the largest unionized workforce in the U.S. telecom industry, with a focus on training and development.

Investing in education through connectivity also strengthens communities. When workers can train locally, communities retain talent, families gain stability, and local economies grow stronger. These are mission-critical roles that keep networks running safely and reliably – work that depends on skilled technicians, engineers, and customer-facing experts that will remain essential as technology evolves. Focus areas include:

• Recruiting and training more skilled technicians that are needed to build and maintain essential telecommunications infrastructure
• Hiring thousands of technicians in 2026 alone; Only 5% of jobs at AT&T require a four-year degree
• Investing in training, upskilling, and career pathways to keep roles current as tools and technology change – including AI fluency
• Supporting American families with competitive wages, employee benefits and exceptional wellness programs, and long-term financial security

Innovating to Secure America’s Connected Economy

As connectivity becomes more essential, so do trust, security and continued American leadership in innovation. AT&T will continue investing in technologies that advance and protect the connected economy, including:

• Scaling network security and AI-driven threat intelligence
• Enabling the next wave of American invention across industries by opening up our network to allow new entrants to innovate and supply telecommunications equipment.
• Strengthening collaboration with public-sector partners to support national resilience and first responders
• Supporting America’s leadership in global technology and innovation

With this commitment, AT&T will keep building the network Americans rely on, whether delivered by fiber, wireless, or satellite, so more people and businesses have access to fast, reliable connectivity. It’s the foundation for what’s next, from remote care, to autonomous vehicles to AI, and it will help keep America connected for the next 150 years.Join AT&T and the US connectivity ecosystem in discussion at Connected America 2026 AT&T to invest $250bn to expand and enhance networks - Total Telecom

Read More........ → March 20, 2026

MTN to take control of IHS Towers for $2.2 billion

Posted by Harry Baldock: The operator says reintegrating the tower assets will strengthen its African operations and improve financial metrics

African telco giant MTN Group is set to take full control of IHS Towers, one of Africa’s largest independent tower companies, in a deal valued at $6.2 billion.

The deal will see MTN acquire the 75% stake in IHS that it doesn’t already own for $2.2 billion in cash.

“This proposed transaction is a pivotal step in further strengthening MTN Group’s strategic and financial position for a future where digital infrastructure will become ever more essential to Africa’s growth and development. This transaction gives us a unique opportunity to buy back our towers and strengthen our ability to be partners for progress to the nation states in which we operate,” said MTN CEO Ralph Mupita.

The deal is subject to the typical regulatory approvals, with watchdogs likely to look closely at the impact on competition, given IHS also rents their infrastructure to MTN’s rivals across Africa.

For MTN, the move represents something of a strategic U-turn. The operator group has pursued an asset-light approach for the past decade, selling many of its towers – largely to IHS – in multiple markets.

In recent years, however, MTN’s relationship with the tower company has grown more complicated. The operator has repeatedly complained about IHS’s corporate governance, particularly that IHS had capped its voting rights at 20%, despite MTN owning a stake of around 26% in the business.

At the same time, IHS saw major losses from the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in 2023, leading MTN to attempt to seek adjusted lease terms to reduce foreign‑currency exposure.

Given this increasingly difficult operating relationship, MTN’s stake acquisition represents an opportunity to simplify and de-risk the company’s balance sheet by removing long‑term lease liabilities.Market watchers will be watching whether MTN’s reintegration of roughly 29,000 African sites delivers the financial and strategic gains management forecasts, and whether rivals respond with selective buybacks, new sharing deals, or continued reliance on independent towercos. MTN to take control of IHS Towers for $2.2 billion - Total Telecom

Read More........ → March 03, 2026

Allianz world’s No. 1 insurance brand for 7th consecutive year

Allianz has once again been recognised as the World’s No. 1 insurance brand in the Interbrand Best Global Brands 2025 ranking, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top.

This year, Allianz achieved its highest-ever brand value and strongest growth in history, increasing by 20% from $ 23.5 billion to $ 28.2 billion, and rising two places to No. 27 globally.

This achievement reflects Allianz’s strong financial performance and the consistent execution of its global brand strategy, reinforcing its reputation for trust, innovation, and reliability worldwide. It is also a testament to the dedication and collective effort of every Allianz employee across the globe.

Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd., is a fully owned subsidiary of Allianz SE, a global financial services provider specialising in insurance and asset management, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Allianz world’s No. 1 insurance brand for 7th consecutive year | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 25, 2026

World Bank says SL recovery remarkable, among fastest worldwide

 

• Latest World Bank public finances diagnostic says SL made remarkable recovery
• Stabilisation sharper and faster than 123 countries since 1980
• Says Sri Lanka can move to a more balanced fiscal policy
• Points to fiscal space to grow revenue to support growth, equity and fairness
• Challenge is to get better results from every rupee collected and spent

The World Bank yesterday said Sri Lanka has made remarkable strides in stabilising its economy, undertaking one of the largest fiscal adjustments in its history, equal to nearly 8% of GDP over three years, and doing it faster than most countries.

In a statement announcing the release of its latest diagnostic title ‘Sri Lanka Public Finance Review: Towards a Balanced Fiscal Adjustment’, the World Bank said that this adjustment was also sharper and faster by international standards when compared with more than 330 similar efforts in 123 countries worldwide since 1980.

The review, a core World Bank diagnostic conducted every five years in member countries, concludes that Sri Lanka is well-positioned to focus on making public finances work better for all Sri Lankans.

“While fiscal measures helped restore stability, they also put pressure on households through higher indirect taxes and reduced real public-sector wages, and slowed growth due to lower public investment,” the statement said. “The next phase of fiscal calibration should prioritise raising revenues in ways that support growth and fairness, and improve the quality of government spending.”

The diagnostic review highlights that Sri Lanka could increase revenue by up to 2% by 2029 without undermining growth or equity. It also points out that better targeting and management of public spending can deliver improved outcomes within current budget limits.

The review recommends raising revenue more fairly and efficiently by shifting toward direct taxes, such as a minimum corporate income tax, and digitising tax administration to make paying taxes easier and more transparent.

It also recommends spending smarter, not more or less. The report stresses that it is not feasible to further cut or increase overall spending, but the best gains will come from using existing funds more efficiently to get better results.

This includes improving public sector wage management by protecting essential frontline services, simplifying pay structures, and modernising systems through which public sector workers are paid. It also entails reprioritising capital investments to close infrastructure gaps, completing ongoing projects faster, and strengthening project selection, management and maintenance.

Enhancing social protection by better targeting assistance, expanding the social registry, and moving from universal subsidies to more focused support for those who need it most, is another priority.

“Now that Sri Lanka has largely stabilised its economy, the challenge is to get better results from every rupee collected and spent,” said World Bank Division Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka David Sislen. “This means modernising tax administration, focusing on direct taxes, and making sure public spending is both efficient and fair, especially for the most vulnerable,” he added. World Bank says SL recovery remarkable, among fastest worldwide | Daily FT

Read More........ → February 20, 2026

Study Shows Vaporizing E-Waste Makes it Easy to Recover Precious Metals at 13-Times Lower Costs

– credit Alexandre Debiève

By instantaneously heating electronics to 3,000°C via an electrical current, scientists have found a way to extract decent grades of precious metals without creating hazardous waste.

According to their analysis, relying on e-waste for a precious metals supply could be 13-times cheaper than mining them from the ground. However, previous methods have involved throwing this or that broken gizmo into a furnace powered by copious amounts of energy while also releasing toxic substances into air.

By contrast, “flash joule heating,” a way of using electrical currents to vaporizing the valuable metals from the materials that hold electronics together is between 80 and 500-times more energy efficient.

One 2008 study calculated that one ton of mobile phones without batteries contains about 130kg of copper, 3.5kg of silver, 340 grams of gold, and 140 grams of palladium.

Those totals, if assayed as part of a drilling survey at a mine, would be considered world class results in the 99th percentile of grades.

Most open pit mining operations will run at a rate of between 0.5 and 1.8 grams per-ton gold and 100 to 180 grams per-ton silver. Some 40 million tons of e-waste is produced annually, so some simple mathematics reveals the potential economy to be found in harvesting e-waste for metals—a process termed “urban mining” by scientists.

Scientists at Rice University shredded a printed circuit board for their experiments, and mixed it with carbon black as a conductive additive. Once in the flash joule chamber, the current applied is so high that the precious metals, like rhodium, copper, and gold, turn briefly to vapor, while the carbon-based components like the plastic, are carbonized. This same process has been used to turn plastic into diamonds.

Mining companies for base and precious metals use a variety of patented recovery processes to separate gold, zinc, or nickel from the ore body.

Just like in mining, additives enhanced the recovery percentage of the metals from their vaporized form, including halides or fluorine-based substances. These brought the recovery of rhodium up to greater than 80%, and palladium to 70%. Bleach and other chlorine-based compounds brought the silver recovery rate up to greater than 80% as well.With the prices of these metals skyrocketing of late, new and cheaper supplies will be crucial to ensure important industries remain intact and competitive. Study Shows Vaporizing E-Waste Makes it Easy to Recover Precious Metals at 13-Times Lower Costs

Read More........ → February 16, 2026

What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes

Meg Elkins, RMIT University

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched.

For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings and term deposits will earn more. But for many others, including first home buyers who might have stretched themselves just to get a foot into the housing market, it was a very bad day.

RBA Governor Michele Bullock acknowledged that, saying:

I know this is not the news that Australians with mortgages want to hear, but it is the right thing for the economy.

She warned the alternative – letting inflation keep rising – would be even harder for more Australians.

So what’s the psychology behind the RBA raising rates now and leaving the door open to further hikes if needed? And what does the central bank hope Australians will do in response?

The price squeeze you’re feeling

There’s a striking gap between how the RBA describes the economy and how most Australians experience it.

On paper, things look healthy: unemployment is low, wages are growing.

But as Bullock acknowledged on Tuesday, the daily reality has felt very different.

The price level has gone up 20% to 25% over the last few years, and people see that every time they walk into a supermarket, or they go to the doctor, or whatever – that’s I think what’s hurting people.

That relentless price squeeze is not something you forget, even when the rate of increase starts to slow.

What’s driving inflation up?

The headline consumer price index (CPI) hit 3.8% in the year to December, well above the RBA’s target band of 2–3%. The “trimmed mean” – the underlying measure the RBA watches most closely – rose to 3.3%. Both are too high and moving in the wrong direction.

Bullock singled out three factors contributing to inflation. Each behaves differently and requires a different response.

Housing was the single largest contributor to inflation in December, up 5.5% over the year. That includes rents, which rose 3.9% (or 4.2% stripping out government rent assistance), as well as insurance, utilities, and new construction costs, which rose 3% as builders passed through higher labour and material costs.

There is an irony here. Rising interest rates are intended to cool demand, but they slow housing construction. Limited supply of housing is what’s pushing rents up in the first place.

“Durable goods” are the things we buy to last, such as cars, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions and furniture. Demand for many of those has been higher in the past year.

“Market services” are items such as restaurant meals, taxis, haircuts, gym memberships, medical appointments and holiday travel.

The RBA watches these carefully, because these are services priced by supply and demand in the domestic market. Those prices tend to be “sticky”: once they start rising, they don’t come back down easily.

Wages are also a big part of market services inflation. If the people providing those services are earning more, the cost goes up.

How rate cuts made shoppers relax

This is where the behavioural psychology gets interesting.

The RBA cut interest rates three times in 2025. Each cut sent a signal, whether intentionally or not: it’s OK to spend a bit more.

And spend we did. CommBank data shows Australians spent A$23.8 billion over the two-week Black Friday period, up 4.6% on the year before.

It’s a cautionary tale about “rational expectations”. Each rate cut potentially fuelled the belief that more would follow.

If people feel like they can afford to spend, then they spend. Businesses, sensing demand, may raise their prices to match. That’s exactly the self-fulfilling dynamic central banks worry about.

The 3 ways the RBA hopes we’ll react

When prices go up, as they have been, workers ask for bigger wage rises to keep up. To pay higher wages, businesses lift prices to protect their profit margins. Together, that can create a “wage-price spiral” that becomes very hard to break.

The RBA will be hoping Australians respond to this rate rise in three ways:

• spending less

• saving more

• not asking for big wage rises (although they’d never phrase it that way).

RBA Governor Michele Bullock described raising interest rates as “a very blunt instrument” to bring inflation down, and noted setting rates is “not a science. It’s a bit of an art, really […] We’ve just got to respond as best we can.”

The RBA can’t undo the price rises that have already happened. It can only try to slow down further increases.

Meg Elkins, Associate Professor in Economics, RMIT University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → February 06, 2026

Silver and gold hit record highs – then crashed. Before joining the rush, you need to know this

Zlaťáky.cz/Pexels, CC BY Angel Zhong, RMIT University and Jason Tian, Swinburne University of Technology

The start of 2026 has seen gold and silver surge to record highs – only to crash on Friday.

Gold prices peaked above US$5,500 (A$7,900) per ounce for the first time on Thursday, well above previous highs. But by the end of Friday, it had dropped to around US$5068 (A$7,282).

Silver had been making gains even faster than gold. It hit more than US$120 (A$172) per ounce last week, marking one of its strongest runs in decades, before crashing on Friday to US$98.50 (A$141.50).

So what’s behind those surges and falls? And what should everyday investors know about the risks of investing in precious metals right now?

Why gold has been hitting new highs

Gold is the classic safe haven: an asset people buy to protect their savings when worried about financial risks.

With international political tensions rising, trade war threats, shifting signals about where interest rates are heading and a potential changing world order, investors are seeking assets that feel stable when everything else looks shaky.

Friday’s crash in gold and silver was sparked by financial markets reacting to early news of Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as chair of the US Federal Reserve. The US central bank plays a key role in global financial stability.

Central banks around the world have been buying gold at a rapid pace, reinforcing its reputation as a place to park value during periods of uncertainty.

But it’s not just big institutions moving the market. In Australia and overseas, retail investors – individuals buying and selling smaller amounts for themselves – have played a part too.

Those individuals have been increasingly treating gold, silver and other precious metals as a hedge against so much uncertainty, as well as a momentum play – trying to buy in to keep up with others.

As prices have trended upward, more everyday investors have bought in, especially through gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which make it simple to gain exposure without storing physical gold bullion.

What’s been driving silver’s surge

While gold was grabbing headlines for much of 2025, silver has been the real showstopper. Before Friday’s fall, the metal had surged more than 60% in just the past month, far outpacing gold’s still impressive run of around 30%.

Unlike gold, silver has a split personality. Industrial uses are driving up demand for silver. It’s critical for clean energy technologies including solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), and semiconductors.

This dual appeal – as a safe haven, but also as an in-demand industrial commodity – is drawing investors who see multiple reasons for prices to keep climbing.

Every solar panel contains about 20 grams of silver. The solar industry consumes nearly 30% of total global demand for silver.

EVs also use 25–50 grams each, and AI data centres need silver for semiconductors.

The kicker? The silver market has run a supply deficit for five consecutive years. We’re consuming more than we’re mining, and most silver comes as a byproduct of other metals. You can’t simply open more silver mines.

Individual buyers have piled into silver

One of Australia’s most popular online investment platforms for retail investors is CommSec, with around 3 million customers.

Bloomberg tracking of CommSec trades shows how much retail purchases of silver ETFs in particular have spiked higher in the past year.

Over the past year, gold ETF trades on CommSec grew 47%, with cumulative net buying reaching A$158 million. That reflects gold’s established role in portfolios.

Yet despite attracting slightly lower total investment overall at A$104 million, silver trading activity exploded by far more: it’s been 1,000% higher than the year before.

This means retail investors made far more frequent, smaller trades in silver. This is classic momentum-chasing behaviour, as everyday investors piled into an asset showing dramatic price gains.

The pattern is unmistakable: while gold remains the anchor, silver has become the speculative play.

Its lower per-ounce price, industrial demand narrative, and social media buzz make it particularly accessible to retail investors seeking exposure to the precious metals rally, at a much lower price than gold.

The risks every investor needs to know

The data shows Australian retail investors have been buying as prices rise. But this “fear of missing out” approach comes with serious risks.

Volatility cuts both ways. From February 2025 to just before Friday’s sharp drop, the price of silver had surged 269%. But even before that fall, silver’s spectacular gain had come with 36% “annualised volatility” (which measures how much a stock price varies over one year). That was nearly double gold’s 20% volatility over the same period.

What does that mean in practice? As we’ve just seen, what goes up fast can come down quickly too.

Buying high is dangerous. When retail investors pile in after major price increases, they often end up buying near the top. Professional investors and central banks have been accumulating gold and silver for years, at much lower prices.

No income, higher risk. Unlike shares or bonds, metals don’t pay dividends or interest. Your entire return depends on prices rising further from already elevated levels. And as the past few days have shown, the potential for sharp drawdowns is substantial.

Keep it modest. Financial advisers typically recommend precious metals comprise 5–15% of a diversified portfolio. After such extraordinary price volatility, that guideline matters more than ever.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not intended as financial advice. All investments carry risk.

Angel Zhong, Professor of Finance, RMIT University and Jason Tian, Senior Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Read More........ → February 04, 2026

Amway India's loss widens to Rs 74.25 crore in FY25

IANS Photo

Mumbai, (IANS): Amway India’s losses widened further in FY25 as it reported a total loss of Rs 74.25 crore for the financial year ended March 31, 2025, compared with a loss of Rs 53.38 crore in the previous financial year.

Its revenue from operations fell 10.56 per cent to Rs 1,148.16 crore in FY25 from Rs 1,283.75 crore in FY24, according to financial data accessed through business intelligence platform Tofler.

The company’s total income, which includes other income, declined 9.2 per cent to Rs 1,174.85 crore during the year.

Despite the fall in revenue, the company managed to cut several costs during the year. Its spending on advertising and sales promotion dropped sharply by 40.6 per cent to Rs 36.20 crore in FY25.

The royalty paid to its US-based parent company was also reduced by 15.7 per cent to Rs 55.43 crore, compared with Rs 65.74 crore in the previous financial year.

Payments made to Amway India’s sole selling agents declined marginally by 2.73 per cent to Rs 366.91 crore in FY25, from Rs 377.22 crore a year earlier.

Overall, the company’s total expenses came down 7.3 per cent to Rs 1,249.10 crore during the year, according to the financial data.

Amway India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alticor Global Holdings Inc, headquartered in Ada, Michigan, and is one of the world’s largest direct selling companies. The Indian arm remains an unlisted entity.

Segment-wise, the company saw a decline across all major categories. Revenue from its largest segment, nutrition and wellness, fell 10 per cent to Rs 703.58 crore in FY25.

The personal care segment, the second largest, saw a sharper decline of 13.6 per cent, with revenue at Rs 189.22 crore, as per it’s financial data.Revenue from home care products slipped 2.65 per cent to Rs 120.29 crore, while the beauty segment reported a 12 per cent fall to Rs 96.59 crore during the financial year. Amway India's loss widens to Rs 74.25 crore in FY25 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 18, 2026

Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years

IANS Photo

Tokyo, (IANS): As the adoption of electric vechicles enters top gear globally amid rising petrol-diesel prices, Japanese auto-maker Nissan on Monday said it will invest $17.6 billion (2 trillion Yen) in developing new EVs and battery technology over the next five years.

Unveiling the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' plan, the company announced it will launch 23 new electrified models, including 15 new EVs, aiming for 50 per cent electrification mix, by fiscal year 2030.

"We will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society," said Makoto Uchida, Nissan CEO.

Over the next 10 years, Nissan aims to deliver exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations while expanding its operations globally.

The vision supports Nissan's goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.

With the introduction of 20 new EV and e-POWER equipped models in the next five years, Nissan intends to increase its electrification sales mix across major markets by fiscal year 2026, including Europe by more than 75 per cent of sales, Japan by more than 55 per cent of sales, China by more than 40 per cent of sales and the US by 40 per cent of EV sales in fiscal year 2030.

"With our new ambition, we continue to take the lead in accelerating the natural shift to EVs by creating customer pull through an attractive proposition by driving excitement, enabling adoption and creating a cleaner world," said Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta.

Representing the next stage of Nissan's electrified future, the company also unveiled three new concept cars that offer enhanced experiences through sophisticated technology packaging.

Nissan aims to launch EV with its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) by fiscal year 2028 and ready a pilot plant in Yokohama as early as fiscal year 2024.

With the introduction of breakthrough ASSB, Nissan will be able to expand its EV offerings across segments and offer more dynamic performance.

"By reducing charging time to one-third, ASSBs will make EVs more efficient and accessible. Further, Nissan expects ASSB to bring the cost of battery packs down to $75 per kWh by fiscal year 2028 and aims to bring it further down to $65 per kWh to achieve cost parity between EV and gasoline vehicles in the future," the company announced.

Nissan intends to increase its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by fiscal year 2026, and 130 GWh by fiscal year 2030.

Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from news agency feeds and has not been edited by The Morung Express.Source: IANS Nissan to invest $17.6 bn in EV development over next 5 years | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 15, 2026

India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): While the 7.4 per cent GDP growth rate projected for FY 26 in the first advance estimates of the Ministry of Statistics "is quite expected and reasonable", the actual figure is eventually likely to be higher at around 7.5 per cent, an SBI Ecowrap report released on Wednesday stated.

"We believe that GDP growth for FY26 would be around 7.5 per cent with an upward bias. The second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, are scheduled to be released on February 27, 2026. So, all these numbers are expected to change with the base revision to 2022-23," the SBI report said.

On the expenditure side, the heads that have positively contributed include the government consumption with a growth of 5.2 per cent in real terms, it said.

Exports have also held their ground with positive growth of 6.4 per cent. Private consumption growth was a tad lower at 7 per cent, possibly due to a slowdown in the agriculture sector. Per capita consumption expenditure registered a growth of 6.1 per cent. Uptick in government consumption, and traction in services has held up the demand in FY26, cushioning the impact of external headwinds, the report further said.

Capital formation, which slowed last year, has recovered in FY26. The real growth in capital formation at 7.8 per cent was higher by 70 basis points (bps) from last year’s growth. The nominal capital formation growth was also higher, indicating a revival in investment demand, the SBI report observed.

Imports have registered a growth of 9 per cent in nominal terms but a growth of 14.4 per cent in real terms. However, this is expected to moderate in FY27, given the outlook on energy prices, the report pointed out.The fiscal deficit at the end of November 25 stood at Rs 9.8 lakh crore or 62.3 per cent of the budget estimate (BE). Although the tax revenue is likely to be lower than the budgeted for FY26, non-tax revenue will be on the higher side, thereby not impacting the overall receipts much. Total expenditure is also expected to be lower, leading to a fiscal deficit of Rs 15.85 lakh crore compared to the budgeted Rs 15.69 lakh crore. With the new higher GDP figure, the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP is likely to remain unchanged at 4.4 per cent, the report added. India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 09, 2026

Ola Electric faces tough year as market share drops over 50 pc in 2025

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India’s electric two-wheeler market saw a major shift in 2025, with last year’s leader Ola Electric losing a large part of its market share, while traditional auto companies strengthened their position.

Ola Electric’s market share dropped sharply to 16.1 per cent in 2025 from 36.7 per cent in 2024.

Despite overall demand for electric two-wheelers improving, the company sold 1,96,767 vehicles during the year, according to data from the government-run Vahan portal.

The sharp fall highlights the growing challenges Ola Electric faced through the year. Ola Electric’s troubles were also linked to operational issues, including customer complaints related to service delays and inconsistent deliveries.

Meanwhile, Bhavish Aggarwal-run electric two-wheeler maker reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 418 crore in second quarter of the current financial year (Q2 FY26).

The revenue from operations of the firm also followed suit and dropped nearly 43 per cent year-on-year to Rs 690 crore in Q2, compared to Rs 1,214 crore in Q2 FY25.

In an earlier exchange filing, the firm said that “For the Auto segment, we expect lower volumes than the Q1 guidance as we continue to focus on margin and cash discipline in a hyper competitive market.

The stock of Ola Electric is also not performing well. Around 1:40 p.m., the company’s shares were down 3.34 per cent at Rs 34.97. Over the past five days, the stock had gained 1.36 per cent.

However, it was down 13.77 per cent over the last one month and had delivered a negative return of nearly 19 per cent in the past six months.

On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the shares were lower by 59.44 per cent, according to official data.

At the same time, established manufacturers with strong dealer networks and better after-sales support gained ground.

TVS Motor Company emerged as the market leader in 2025, capturing a 24.2 per cent share after selling 2,95,315 units.Bajaj Auto followed closely with a 21.9 per cent market share, further tightening competition in the segment. Ola Electric faces tough year as market share drops over 50 pc in 2025 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com.

Read More........ → January 06, 2026

critical pivots for Trinidad and Tobago in 2026

AS TRINIDAD and Tobago heads into 2026, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we are not entering a “fresh start” year – we are entering a decision year.

The global environment has shifted in ways that disproportionately affect small countries. Technology is removing jobs faster than they are replaced, governments everywhere are under fiscal pressure, and the cost of living continues to rise. These are not temporary conditions. They are structural changes.

If we want 2026 to be a year of progress rather than pressure, there are five critical pivots we need to make – not someday, but now.

Upgrade understanding of leadership

We often say we want better leadership, but rarely stop to ask what effective leadership actually looks like in today’s world.

Globally, some of the most effective leaders spend less time campaigning and more time preparing their populations for reality. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong regularly addresses issues such as inflation, global conflict, and economic restructuring in a clear, direct way.

He doesn’t avoid difficult topics. He explains them, giving citizens context and direction.

Similarly, Kaja Kallas former prime minister of Estionia demonstrated how leadership in a small country can be globally relevant. Estonia, with a population similar to TT, built digital systems that reduced bureaucracy, increased transparency, and made government more efficient.

Estonia's former prime minister Kaja Kallas.

Kallas spoke openly to citizens about trade-offs, risks, and long-term strategy – treating them as partners, not spectators.

The lesson here is simple: we cannot demand better leadership if we don’t understand what effective, future-focused leadership looks like globally. Exposure matters. Standards matter.

Shift from job-seeking to value creation

For decades, conversations about employment in TT have centred on job availability. That model is breaking down.

Governments everywhere are digitizing, automating, and cutting costs. Clerical and administrative roles – once a reliable pathway to stability – are shrinking. The idea that the state can absorb everyone who needs a job is no longer realistic.

The pivot required is from job-seeking to value creation.

When you develop a skill that solves a problem – whether in design, accounting, marketing, education, technology, or operations – income is no longer tied to one employer. Three solopreneurs collaborating on a project can generate revenue without forming a traditional company or waiting for an opening.

Work in 2026 will be project-based, collaborative, and skills-driven. Preparing for that reality is no longer optional.

Run every business idea through forex lens

Here’s a question we don’t ask often enough: Does this earn foreign exchange?

As long as most of our economic activity revolves around buying and selling to each other locally, growth will always be capped. A population of 1.4 million people places a hard limit on demand.

Foreign exchange isn’t just about overseas travel – it pays for food imports, fuel, medicine, technology, and business continuity. When forex is scarce, everyone feels it.

Service exports offer the most viable path forward. Digital work, consulting, teaching, creative services, and remote professional skills allow individuals to earn globally while living locally. When enough people earn forex, household resilience improves – and so does national resilience.

Treat mobility as a strategy, not a failure

We currently train more teachers than there are teaching jobs available locally. That mismatch has created frustration and stagnation.

Globally, however, English-speaking teachers are in demand – particularly across Asia. Countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand actively recruit educators.

Too often, we compare salaries without comparing cost of living. A lower salary in Vietnam or Thailand can still result in better savings and quality of life than earning more on paper in a high-cost country. Rent, transportation, food, and healthcare matter just as much as income.

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This doesn’t have to be permanent. Think of it as career acceleration: gain experience, earn foreign exchange, broaden perspective, then decide what comes next. That isn’t brain drain — it’s skill and capital accumulation.

Redefine what risk really means

For years, risk meant leaving a stable job or trying something new. Today, that definition has flipped.

The real risk now is doing nothing – staying in stagnant industries, relying on a single employer, and hoping things return to how they were before the covid pandemic.

They won’t.

Automation, lay-offs, and rising costs are forcing change whether we’re ready or not. The safest strategy in 2026 is no longer comfort – it’s adaptability.

Calculated risks – learning new skills, exploring global markets, diversifying income — are no longer reckless. They are prudent.

2026 will test mindset, flexibility, and resolve.

The people who navigate it best won’t be the ones who waited for rescue. They’ll be the ones who adjusted early, thought beyond borders, and took responsibility for building their own economic security.For TT, the future won’t be decided by hope alone – it will be shaped by how willing we are to pivot now. 5 critical pivots for Trinidad and Tobago in 2026 - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Read More........ → January 04, 2026