Now accessible to millions of PayPal consumers and merchants, PayPal USD helps provide stable purchasing power and enable lower-cost global commerce

May 20, 2026/PayPal USD

PayPal, today announced it is making PayPal USD (PYUSD) available in 70 markets worldwide in the PayPal account. This dollar-backed stablecoin enables users to send funds globally, with faster settlement and lower cost than traditional payment methods.

As global commerce becomes increasingly digital, individuals and businesses are looking for faster and more seamless ways to transact across borders. Stablecoins like PYUSD help power an inclusive, fast, lower-cost, global commerce system.

“Consumers and businesses around the world are looking for faster, more seamless ways to transact globally and the current system still charges too much, takes too long, and settles on timelines that were designed for a different era,” said May Zabaneh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crypto, PayPal. “We are working to change that. Enabling PYUSD in users’ accounts across 70 markets gives people faster access to their funds, lower-cost ways to send money across borders, and a more direct path to participating in the global economy, and that is what drives commerce forward for everyone.”

“Bringing PYUSD to Africa is about delivering tangible value to the people and businesses driving growth in these dynamic markets,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Middle East and Africa, PayPal. “Consumers gain a flexible, stable way to move funds faster, while businesses can streamline cross-border payments, improve settlement times, and unlock new opportunities for growth. By increasing access to a regulated, USD-backed digital currency, we’re breaking down barriers and helping reduce friction in global commerce across the region.”

Users in newly supported markets can buy, hold, send, and receive PYUSD directly from their PayPal account.¹ Additionally, eligible users can earn rewards on their PYUSD holdings,² can i transfer funds to friends and family, whether on PayPal or to third-party digital wallets, and convert PYUSD to local currency when withdrawing funds³ for everyday spending.

Businesses that accept PYUSD can use proceeds in minutes rather than days or weeks, improving liquidity and reducing reliance on traditional settlement cycles. Faster access to funds can help businesses manage working capital, support cross-border operations, and participate in global commerce.

Following the launch of PYUSD in the United States in 2023, this expansion is another critical step in creating the liquidity, utility, and ubiquity of PYUSD necessary to create a more inclusive, global commerce ecosystem. By making it available in more places through PayPal, PYUSD helps consumers send funds internationally at a lower cost, while enabling businesses to settle faster, reduce foreign payment fees, and access proceeds more quickly.

PYUSD is now broadly available across multiple global regions, including Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, The Middle East, and North America.

For more information about PYUSD, please visit https://apo-opa.co/49g0TOy

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African Mining Week will highlight the role Africa’s domestic capital can play in unlocking the continent’s $8.5 trillion worth of untapped mineral resources

May 20, 2026/Energy Capital & Power

 Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking has approved a $700 million loan to support Ivanhoe Mines’ expansion of the Platreef platinum group metals (PGM) project in South Africa.

The funding will support the construction of the Phase two concentrator at Platreef, a 3.3 million ton-per-annum processing facility whose development began in April 2026.

The transaction comes at a time when South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

Nedbank’s financing highlights the growing role of South Africa’s banking sector in bridging the capital gap required to develop large-scale mining projects. This is increasingly critical as the country looks to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in iron ore potential, while maintaining its position as the world’s largest PGMs, chrome and manganese producer.

For Africa, the transaction highlights how the region can leverage its domestic capital pools, with non-bank institutional funding sources across Africa now exceeding $2 trillion. Combined with commercial banking and international investment flows, these capital bases can play a central role in unlocking the continent’s $8.5 trillion worth of untapped mineral resources while reducing reliance on external funding sources.

Innovating financing mechanisms will be crucial as an increasing number of mining jurisdictions seek fresh capital to finance mining value chain projects. For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo is pursuing financing to unlock an estimated $24 trillion in mineral resources while Zimbabwe seeks to raise $950 million to scale production across gold, lithium, platinum and chrome assets.

Against this backdrop, Africa’s mining investment outlook and broader financing strategies will be a key focus at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – The Most Influential Mining Conference in Africa – taking place in Cape Town from October 14–16. The event will convene global financiers, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, mining companies and development institutions to explore mechanisms for unlocking capital across Africa’s mining sector.

The post Nedbank’s Platreef Funding Highlights the Power of Africa’s $2T Internal Capital Pool appeared first on Investadvocate.

Picture this: it is payday, and you need to transfer money to a loved one or pay a utility bill. In the past, that meant rushing to the bank, standing in long queues, and hoping you’d finish before closing time. For many Nigerians, this was the reality: time-consuming, stressful, and inconvenient.

But times have changed. In today’s digital era, mobile banking has become more than a convenience, it is a necessity. With mobile banking apps, you can manage your finances securely, instantly, and from anywhere.

That’s where FirstMobile, FirstBank’s official mobile app, comes in. Designed with customers in mind, it transforms your smartphone into a personal bank branch. Whether you are checking balances, transferring funds or paying bills, FirstMobile makes banking seamless and accessible.

With FirstMobile, the story shifts from waiting in line to managing your money on the go. It’s banking without boundaries, right in your pocket.

Why Mobile Banking Matters

• Convenience: Access your account anytime, anywhere.
• Security: Transactions are protected with PINs, OTPs, and biometric authentication.
• Efficiency: Skip the branch visits. Check balances, transfer funds, and pay bills instantly.
• Real-time updates: Get instant notifications for account activities.
• Comprehensive services: Manage beneficiaries, monitor transactions, and stay in control of your finances.

How to Download and Activate FirstMobile

• Search for FirstMobile on your Google Play Store or Apple App Store
• Install the app  and click Get Started.
• Select Register Profile.
• Choose your registration option: Debit Card or BVN.
• Input your FirstBank ATM card number or BVN as required.
• You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS.
• Enter the OTP in the app to verify your identity.
• Set a five-digit mPIN (your login PIN).
• Choose and answer two secret questions.
• Create a four-digit transaction PIN for authorizing transactions.
• Follow the prompts to finalize setup.

Once complete, you are ready to enjoy FirstBank’s mobile services.

Mobile banking is no longer optional; it’s the smarter way to bank. With FirstMobile, FirstBank has made it easy for customers to stay connected to their finances, securely and conveniently. Whether you are checking balances, paying bills, or transferring money, the app ensures you are always in control.

The post FirstMobile: How to Install and Register for FirstBank’s Mobile App appeared first on Investadvocate.