Brand Engagement shares surge 52.36% premarket after securing $2.05M AI licensing partnership in Africa with equity and revenue participation.

Brand Engagement Network (Nasdaq: BNAI) surged 52.36% in premarket trading following the announcement of a $2.05 million AI licensing partnership in Africa with Valio Technologies and a mental health pilot at Nelson Mandela University. The deal includes a preferred equity contribution, 25% equity stake, 35% revenue share, and an exclusive perpetual license for government and commercial markets across Africa. The partnership leverages BEN’s proprietary AI technologies to address growing demand for regulated solutions in the region, while the university pilot highlights real-world deployment of governed AI in mental health, a sector with significant unmet needs. This marks BEN’s second major international licensing agreement, following its Skye LATAM partnership, underscoring investor confidence in its scalable AI ecosystem and market expansion strategy.