Brand Engagement Network Finalizes $2.05 Million AI Licensing Partnership for African Expansion

Brand Engagement Network (NASDAQ: BNAI), a provider of secure, governed conversational AI solutions for regulated industries, has finalized a strategic partnership with Valio Technologies to establish an exclusive AI licensing framework for government and commercial markets across Africa. The agreement is anchored by a $2.05 million preferred equity contribution recognized as intellectual property licensing revenue. Under the terms, BEN will hold a 25% common equity stake and board seat in a newly formed South Africa-based entity, receive a 35% revenue share across software, SaaS, services and subscriptions, and grant an exclusive, perpetual license with right of first refusal for African markets.

The partnership represents a significant expansion into African markets for BEN's proprietary AI technologies. The company's platform is designed for regulated and high-impact industries, delivering highly personalized, multimodal AI within secure, closed-loop environments. This expansion is particularly important given the growing demand for AI solutions in emerging markets and the specific regulatory challenges presented by different jurisdictions across the African continent.

A key component of the partnership includes a memorandum of understanding with Nelson Mandela University to deploy a regulated, institution-approved AI pilot focused on student wellbeing. This initiative will utilize BEN's proprietary Engagement Language Model and retrieval-augmented generation technologies within a secure, closed-loop environment aligned with data sovereignty and governance requirements. The pilot represents an important application of AI in educational settings, addressing student support needs while maintaining compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.

The strategic importance of this partnership extends beyond immediate financial considerations. By establishing an exclusive licensing framework for African markets, BEN positions itself as a key player in the region's growing AI ecosystem. The partnership structure, which includes equity participation and revenue sharing, creates alignment between the partners while providing BEN with ongoing financial benefits from the expansion. The collaboration with Nelson Mandela University further demonstrates the practical applications of BEN's technology in regulated environments, potentially serving as a model for other institutional deployments across Africa.

For more information about Brand Engagement Network's AI solutions, visit https://www.brandengagementnetwork.com. Additional details about the partnership and the company's approach to regulated AI deployment can be found through their corporate communications. The expansion into African markets through this structured partnership represents a strategic move to address growing demand for secure, governed AI solutions in regions with specific regulatory requirements and emerging technology adoption patterns.