WITTY GLOBAL BLOGS | THURSDAY FLAGSHIP EDITION Africa's $2 Billion Creative Economy Financing Push: What Nigerian Filmmakers, Musicians and Digital Creators Need to Know By Itoro Uwah | Thursday, November 12, 2026 CREATIVE ECONOMY | BUSINESS | TECHNOLOGY | INVESTMENT LAGOS, NIGERIA — Africa's creative economy is attracting renewed attention from development financiers and policymakers, following the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 gathering in Lagos from November 5 to 8. Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and hosted by Nigeria, the gathering brought together creative entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and cultural-industry professionals to explore financing, intellectual property, technology and market access. Afreximbank's CANEX financing ambition has expanded to $2 billion, reflecting a growing institutional effort to support African cultural and creative enterprises. However, the figure must be understood correctly...
iPhone 17 Outsells Predecessor by 14% in Early China, U.S. Sales
Apple’s latest smartphone lineup, the iPhone 17 series, recorded a 14% increase in its first ten days of sales across China and the United States when compared with last year’s iPhone 16, according to research firm Counterpoint.
Early Performance
The base iPhone 17 showed particular strength in China, where sales nearly doubled versus the base iPhone 16 over the same launch window. Combined sales for China and the U.S. rose by about 31% for the iPhone 17 series in the initial period.
“The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” said Counterpoint senior analyst Mengmeng Zhang.
What’s Different This Year
Analysts attribute the early momentum to a package of upgrades—an improved processor, brighter display, larger base storage, and a better front camera—while maintaining the same launch price as the previous generation.
Context in China and the U.S.
Apple’s start comes amid intense competition from Chinese brands. In China, carrier promotions and brand loyalty helped lift early demand. In the U.S., trade-in offers and carrier incentives also supported upgrades from older iPhones.
Outlook
With the global launch in September 2025, early indications suggest Apple could carry solid momentum into the holiday quarter, provided supply remains stable and promotions continue at retail and carrier channels.
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