News Wings

Tag: Director

  • Access Holdings Receives Karlsruhe Award for Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement

    Access Holdings Receives Karlsruhe Award for Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement

    …for the Eighth Consecutive Time

    Access Holdings Plc has been honoured with the prestigious Karlsruhe Award for Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement for the eighth consecutive time.

    Presented at the Global Sustainable Finance Conference (GSFC) organised by the European Organisation for Sustainable Development (EOSD) in partnership with the city of Karlsruhe, Germany, the Award underscores the sustainability commitment demonstrated in the way Access Holdings conducts its business operations and activities.

    Delivering the opening remarks at the Awards event, the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, lauded the unwavering commitment of the organisations present and urged all stakeholders to collaborate to achieve the global sustainability vision.

    “In today’s globalised world, the responsibility of each one of us does not end at our borders. We need to work together to make our world more just, more peaceful, and more sustainable. This requires a high level of commitment and allocation of resources – including finance and investments,” Mentrup said.

    Reiterating Access Holdings’ commitment to driving the achievement of the SDGs, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Group Sustainability, at Access Holdings Plc said, “We are pleased to receive the Karlsruhe Award for Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement for the eighth consecutive time. At Access Holdings, we believe that businesses must play a significant role in addressing sustainability challenges and driving positive impact. In line with this, our approach to sustainability reflects our dedication to creating long-term value for our stakeholders in Africa and beyond.”

    The 2-day Global Sustainable Finance Conference and Awards also had in attendance other notable stakeholders such as Arshad Rab, Chairman, International Council of Sustainability Standards and CEO, European Organisation for Sustainable Development; Dr. Jesimen Chipika, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe; Amaechi Okobi, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Access Holdings Plc; Rolando Victoria, President and CEO, Aski Group, Philippines; Romani de Silva, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Alliance Finance, Sri Lanka; Mr. Krishnan Vimalanandavally Shaji, Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, India; Mrs. Sylvi J. Gani, Director, PT. Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero), Indonesia; Dr. Kao Thach, The Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia; Jide Akintunde, Director, Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) and Nigeria Country Representative, European Organization for Sustainable Development (EOSD), and Tom Hoyem, Former Cabinet Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark and Member, City Council of Karlsruhe, Germany.

    Access Holdings has been widely recognised as one of Africa’s most responsible companies, earning numerous national and international honours and awards including the World Finance Award for Most Sustainable Bank (eleven-time winner) and Global Brand Awards for Best CSR Bank and Investor Relations (four-time winner).

  • Anthrax Disease: Oyo Govt, Stakeholders Collaborate to Avert Outbreak

    Anthrax Disease: Oyo Govt, Stakeholders Collaborate to Avert Outbreak

    The Oyo state government has sought collaborative efforts of relevant stakeholders to avert the outbreak of anthrax disease in the state. 

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusoji Adeyanju, while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the State’s Technical Working Group today, said the government is leaving no stone unturned to prevent the outbreak of the disease and re-emergence of other diseases.

    Dr. Olusoji, who spoke through the Director, Public Health, Dr. Olubunmi Ayinde at the Emergency Operation Center, Yemetu, Ibadan, called on members of the group to work as a team and map out strategies that will enhance the success of the committee.

    He noted that members of the technical working group have been put into different pillars to ensure the effectiveness of the group.

    His words: “The Technical Working Group is to look into re-emerging diseases and how to prevent people in Oyo state from having these diseases”

    “For the effectiveness of this group, we have ensured that this group together, has different pillars, members of different pillars have come together, like the risk communication group, we have the case management group, those that we look after cases if they occurred, the risk communication is to sensitize and create awareness in the community”.

    “We have a surveillance group, working within communities and health facilities to ensure that there is no disease or if any disease comes up, it is reported promptly”.

    “Relevant stakeholders from the Agricultural sector, and veterinary doctors are here, looking at it holistically, so that we can work together to achieve more”.

    Dr. Abiodun Abatan of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, submitted that human nature diseases emanated from animals.

    Dr. Abatan advocated the use of veterinary laboratories in the state, random blood samples and proper testing for animals to know the status of rams and cows to be slaughtered for distribution or consumption.  

    He appealed to all and sundry to be conversant with the source of the meat to consume to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

    Part of the submissions of stakeholders at the meeting were mass annual vaccination of animals, waging war against those operating illegal abattoir in the state, community sensitization, introduction of certified meat seller shops at strategic points among others.

  • Airtel Nigeria Promotes Staff Across All Regions, Completes First Batch of 2023 Talent Recognitions

    Airtel Nigeria Promotes Staff Across All Regions, Completes First Batch of 2023 Talent Recognitions

    Leading telecommunications network, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the successful completion of its employee promotion cycle for the financial year 2022/2023. The promotions, which took effect from April 1, 2023, and cuts across all the six regions of operations in the country, mark another milestone in the company’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional contributions of employees.

    As a frontrunner in the Nigerian telecommunications industry, Airtel Nigeria has said it places immense value on its employees and their career fulfilment, by maintaining a culture of consistently recognizing and rewarding high performing staff, while creating an enabling environment for employees to develop their skills and collaborate towards providing outstanding services to customers.

    According to the company, promotions are done twice yearly, in July and December, and for the first batch of elevations done in 2023, no fewer than 20 employees moved into senior leadership roles, out of whom three are women. One staff member was also elevated to a vice president position.

    Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, noted that Airtel is thrilled to see its employees grow while being more instrumental to the growth of the organization.

    “Airtel Nigeria is a world-class company which both implements global best practices throughout its divisions and regularly spotlights employees who live the values of excellence for which the company has become known. We are immensely proud to welcome these employees into their new roles and wish them more success in their careers.” Cruz said.

    Also speaking on the announcement, Director, Human Resources & Administration, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, said, “These employees have consistently met and exceeded expectations in their respective areas of work, delivering value to the organization. Our organization will continue to recognize and appreciate top performers as opportunities arise.”

    The implementation of these promotion cycles serves as a testament to Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a culture of meritocracy, Cruz reiterated. “By providing opportunities for advancement within the organization, Airtel Nigeria aims to further motivate its employees, encouraging them to continue delivering outstanding results and contributing to the company’s overall success,” he said.  

    Recently, at the Nigeria2Equal Gender Leaders Awards, which held in Lagos a couple of weeks ago, Airtel Nigeria was recognised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its outstanding initiatives in Women Empowerment and Leadership.

  • Oyo Govt Seals 5 HealthCare Facilities Over Quackery

    Oyo Govt Seals 5 HealthCare Facilities Over Quackery

    The Oyo State Government, on Wednesday sealed five private health facilities in Ibadan, as part of measures towards protecting the health and well-being of residents. 

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, made available to newsmen on Thursday. 

    According to the statement, the healthcare facilities were sealed for non-compliance with regulatory standards, employing unqualified and unlicensed doctors, commonly called quack doctors.

    During an inspection recently at Olodo and Moniya axis of Ibadan, the Director for Secondary health care and training, Dr. Wale Falana stated that the action became necessary after an extensive monitoring and evaluation of hospital facilities was carried out within the state. 

    “The inspection revealed alarming evidence of malpractice, misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments being administered to unsuspected patients,” he said.

    According to him, The five healthcare facilities sealed were found to be lacking in terms of equipment, personnel, and compliance with standard medical regulations.’

    ‘Also, some hospitals were staffed with unqualified personnel who were practising medicine without the required qualifications and license.’

    Dr. Falana further expressed deep concern and warned hospitals not to compromise on the quality of healthcare offered to patients, stressing that the facilities will remain closed until they meet the requirements and standards set by the regulatory bodies.

    “This administration underscores its commitment to ensuring that healthcare services in the Oyo State adhere to the highest standards of quality and professionalism.” 

    “The government of the day, distinguished health as one of the cardinal programmes, consequently, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde takes the health of the people as essential, which is the reason behind the Omititun free health mission held quarterly throughout the state.” 

    “We will not tolerate any compromise in medical standards that could put lives at risk. Closing these hospitals demonstrates our commitment to maintaining quality healthcare delivery within our state.” 

    Dr. Falana added further that the state government had urged citizens to be more cautious when seeking medical attention and reminded them to verify the qualifications and licenses of healthcare providers they visit for treatment, encouraging citizens to report any suspected cases of quack doctors or substandard medical practices to the Ministry of Health. 

    “This will enable the government to take swift action and ensure that the healthcare system in Oyo State remains trustworthy, reliable, and patient-centric.

  • Oyo Enforces Ban on Street Trading

    Oyo Enforces Ban on Street Trading

    The Oyo State Government has set machinery in motion to clamp down on street traders, in the enforcement of total ban on street trading in the State.

    A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Rotimi Babalola on Wednesday in Ibadan, said the move came following the state Government’s sensitization at Ibadan markets many weeks ago, on the need to get rid of illegal trading.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Modupe Adeleye said the move is in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to stamp out street trading on the state highways and other major streets in the metropolis.

    She said in Oyo State, street trading is now prohibited and a punishable offense according to the environmental laws of the State.

    Mrs. Adeleye added that the State Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde places a premium on safety of lives and properties.

    According to her, “It is no longer news to anyone that the Oyo State Government will no longer tolerate street trading in the State and the ministry would be enforcing the law in full force, henceforth”.

    Adeleye disclosed that the strict enforcement exercise which has commenced in Ibadan is an implementation of a long-existing enactment by the state government on Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, which prescribes specific punishment for both the buyer and the seller of any goods or services on the streets.

    Speaking further, Mrs. Adeleye also appealed to residents to ensure proper disposal of refuse in the State, as the Oyo State Government will not tolerate illegal disposal of garbage by residents.

    She enjoined market leaders in the state to ensure members adhere strictly on the environmental laws, urging them to engage government-approved Waste Management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd.

    It could be recalled that the ministry had earlier engaged traders in an aggressive sensitization and awareness of the government’s zero tolerance to street trading. In attendance were all stakeholders, including the Babaloja General of Oyo State and other market leaders.

    Markets visited by the Permanent Secretary and officials of the Ministry include Beere Market; Oja-Oba; Idi-Arere; Oranyan; Molete; Eleyele and Bodija International Market amongst others.

  • Deloitte Africa launches Generative AI practice

    Deloitte Africa launches Generative AI practice

    …Leveraging the power and versatility of transformative technology

    Deloitte Africa today announced the launch of its Generative AI practice for the Africa market, bringing together industry experience, skilled AI engineers as well as ecosystem and alliance partners to build Generative AI solutions aimed at accelerating the pace of business innovation.

    “There’s been extensive discussion across industries around the capabilities of generative AI technology and its potential to revolutionise the way we work, how it allows for digital systems to understand us as humans, without effort; and for us humans to create digital systems and solutions quickly and at scale.

    We will be going much further than exploring what’s possible – we enter the market with the aim of creating what’s next,” says Quentin Williams, Director and AI Leader for Deloitte Africa.

    “Think about humans with machines, strategy with insights, cost reduction through automation, data with purpose, speed with precision. The power of this symbiotic relationship has never been more significant,” Williams continues.

    “Not just a tool, Generative AI is the catalyst that not only empowers us to reimagine and shape the future but indeed, to create it. Through our Africa Generative AI Practice, we will harness the power of innovation and technology to unlock unprecedented possibilities. We aim to, and will; increase AI fluency within the market, grow AI talent on the continent and together with our alliance partners, take enterprise scale Generative AI solutions to our clients.

    Through this practice, our clients now have access to Artificial Intelligence Labs, accelerated use-case development and Large Language Model managed services – all within our Trustworthy AI framework. The vast potential of AI combined with human insights is set to revolutionise industries and amplify economic growth. We are fostering sustainable development across the African continent and I for one am here for it,” says Jania Okwechime, Partner, Data Analytics and AI Leader for Deloitte West Africa.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI has already begun revolutionising industries, with its capability to analyse unstructured and structured data and model it in a way that makes human sense. This results in simplifying the engagement between humans and digital systems, enhancing productivity and innovation at an accelerated pace.

    “With our clients, we will harness that power, move faster and with greater precision that improves decision-making and creates mutually beneficial connections with customers,” says Ryan Norris, Director, AI and Data business Leader for Deloitte Africa.

    Deloitte Africa’s Generative AI practice will help/guide clients and business leaders as they design their strategies and leverage technology to create innovative AI-fueled applications. This will significantly alter business processes, bring about efficiency gains and productivity improvements. The collective power of data management, analytics, intelligent automation and artificial intelligence is significantly shortening the effectiveness of investments for businesses on a journey to being Insights Driven Organisations.

    “In Africa, this will allow enterprises to leapfrog to their next-level innovation, accelerate digital advancement and generate new economic opportunities,” Norris continues.

    Many industries will be impacted by Generative AI. It’s already reshaping energy management insofar as optimising the delivery of electricity to different regions, even finding the most efficient way to schedule maintenance. Energy distribution networks already include digital twins. By training a Generative AI model on the distribution network layout and geography, it can “learn” to simulate different maintenance and distribution choices and generate new routing and scheduling strategies that minimize costs and maximize efficiency for utilities companies. This information can then be used to optimize grid integration as the technology extends beyond the physical distribution networks and production processes to include the digital twin.

    In healthcare, AI-based solutions can effectively streamline diagnostic and treatment processes by using large amounts of structured and unstructured medical data across institutions. This can help physicians at hospitals in clinical decision-making by providing them with real-time, data-driven insights that they can alter and implement based on their personal expertise.

    The potential of Generative AI in the legal sector has also captured the imagination in ways unmatched in other professional services, given its heavy reliance on precedent and legislation, and the prevalence of text generation and review as its core tasks. Legal work is particularly susceptible to AI application. In fact, GPT-4 has already passed the Bar exam in the US.

    While it’s clear that these technologies will facilitate increased efficiencies, there are also some risks to consider.

    Many generative AI systems are yet to incorporate ethics into their decision making and their results are reliant on the data upon which they have been trained. This could result in AI systems creating outputs that are not aligned with an organisation’s own ethical principles – a potential reputational risk. Additionally, algorithms and machine learning models have already been adopted by financial institutions to support with trading, investment, and credit decisions. As firms consider the adoption of generative AI technology there is an increased risk that unidentified flaws or inadequate data could result in financial losses.

    “We can help organisations build the right infrastructure, collect, and manage the right data, train the right models to create generative AI solutions that are effective and scalable and validate prebuilt models to ensure alignment to your firm’s ethics and values. All while managing regulatory risks through the Deloitte Trustworthy AI framework.

    Whether exploring opportunities to increase revenue, improve productivity and reduce costs, identify potential risks and comply with sustainability regulations OR completely rethinking how your business will function in the future using these technologies – we can help you leverage the power and versatility of AI to reach new levels of organisational excellence,” concludes Wessel Oosthuizen, Associate Director for Digital Risk Solutions and Africa AI Institute Leader at Deloitte Africa.

  • Dangote Granite Mines offers Scholarships to host communities students

    Dangote Granite Mines offers Scholarships to host communities students

    …Promises automatic employment for exemplary ones

    It was an atmosphere of excitement at the weekend as Dangote Granite Mines, Ijebu Igbo, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, awarded multi-million Naira scholarships to 60 host communities’ students in various schools in the country as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to foster educational development in its host communities. The company also promised the beneficiaries automatic employment should they excel in their studies.

    The management of the Company said the scholarship was in furtherance of its efforts at ensuring that its host communities are not left behind in terms of development especially in the area of education and infrastructure, noting that education is one of the key areas of focus for development.

    Beneficiaries of the scholarship award were drawn from the five host communities to Dangote Granite Mines which includes Ajebandele; Olorunmodi Ademowo; Saliu Baba Risi; Idi-Omo and Ijebu-Igbo township. The scholarship covers both secondary and higher institution students.

    Mr. Ebenezer Fola Ali, Director, Human Assets Management, Dangote Projects who handed over the cheques to each of the awardees explained that the scholarship was meant to help the parents of the beneficiaries to lessen the burden the education of their children placed on them.

    He stated that the scholarship award was part of the agreement reached with the leadership of the host communities during the signing of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) and urged the beneficiaries to face their education as they will be given automatic employment f they do well academically.

    While also presenting the signed CDA to the Ijebu Igbo monarch, the Sopenlukale of Oke Sopen, Oba Muftau Adesesan Yussuf, Mr. Ali thanked the monarch and the communities’ leaders for creating an atmosphere of peace in the area and for showing the understanding that has led to the tranquillity being enjoyed by the company and the communities.

    He assured the communities of the readiness of the company to do its own part of the agreement and ensure it identifies with the people at all times while also promising that the management would follow the CDA to the letter.

    Mr. Ali also charged the communities leaders to continue to support the management of Dangote Granite Mines by maintaining peace. In the same vein, he charged the beneficiaries of the scholarship award not to let the Company and their parents down by engaging in activities that could derail their education.

    He told the beneficiaries to justify their choice as recipients of the award by going ahead to excel in their different fields so as to spur on the management to do more.

    In his remark, the Sopenlukale, Oba Yussuf thanked the management of Dangote Group for the show of assistance to the communities pointing out that the award of the scholarship indicated that the company was community friendly and committed to giving back to the society hence “it deserves all the supports the communities can muster.”

    The monarch urged his people not to take the scholarship award and other projects that the Dangote management is doing for the communities for granted but should be seen as a show of love for the host communities because “let no one harbour the misconception that Dangote is doing the mining her free. Its not like that, the company is paying the government, both the state and the federal, what they are doing for us is an act of love and magnanimity.”

    He told the people to continue to maintain peace as it is only when there is peace that the company can help the communities more.

    One of the beneficiaries, Miss Aregbe Grace Oluwadamilola of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the management of Dangote Granite Mines for the good gestures saying the scholarship will go a long way in lessening the financial hardship they will encounter in school.

    She promised that the beneficiaries would not let down the company and their parents and also prayed for the well-being of the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote.  

  • Airtel Touching Lives returns with New Episode Featuring a Visually Impaired Tutor

    Airtel Touching Lives returns with New Episode Featuring a Visually Impaired Tutor

    Airtel Nigeria has announced that in the next episode of Airtel Touching Lives, the company’s TV series that spotlights its efforts to bring succour to underprivileged Nigerians, the focus will be on Timilehin Segun, a visually impaired teacher. Segun, whom Airtel describes as extraordinary, devotes his life to educating and inspiring the youths in his community, despite his own physical limitations.


    The upcoming episode, which is the third in the seventh season, will air on Sunday, 9th July 2023 and is expected to take viewers through Segun’s journey from a blind pupil to the neighbourhood mentor who now runs a popular the Reliable Link Tutors, an after-school centre created to help improve the academic performance of secondary school students.


    Commenting on the new episode of Airtel Touching Lives, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran expressed Airtel’s delight to be a part of this incredible journey of unyielding determination and passion.


    “Segun’s determination, resilience, and enthusiasm for education demonstrate the spirit of Airtel Touching Lives, and we hope that his story will inspire our viewers to pursue their dreams, no matter the odds,” he said.


    This instalment of the programme will also include a segment on Irede Foundation, an Airtel Touching Lives beneficiary from the previous season. The non-governmental organisation, provides young children with prosthetic limbs and helps to prepare them for a self-reliant living and, this Sunday, the series will review the progress the foundation has made since Airtel’s intervention in 2022.


    Airtel Touching Lives continues to showcase extraordinary individuals like Segun, who have not only overcome personal challenges but have also dedicated themselves to improving their immediate environment. With Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to empowering lives and making dreams come true through Airtel Touching Lives, the telecom giant has restored hope for countless vulnerable individuals and families across the country, encouraging other corporations to commit more resources towards making positive social impact.


    Airtel Touching Lives Season 7 is broadcast on Sundays on four national and cable TV channels, and one streaming app. The platforms include African Magic Urban at 5:00 pm, NTA Network at 6:30 pm, and Startimes Channel 108 at 6:00 pm. Re-runs are broadcast on Tuesdays on African Magic Urban at 3:30 pm, and on Wednesdays on Startimes Channel 108 at 6:30 pm. Current and previous episodes are also available to stream on Airtel TV.

  • Airtel Nigeria Spotlights the Struggles of Albinism in Episode 2 of Airtel Touching Lives Season 7

    Airtel Nigeria Spotlights the Struggles of Albinism in Episode 2 of Airtel Touching Lives Season 7

    Airtel Nigeria is set to reveal the rarely discussed struggles associated with living with albinism in Nigeria, in the second episode of Airtel Touching Lives, which will air on Sunday, 2nd July 2023.

    The upcoming episode will feature the story of Eunice Nwokeocha, a young woman living with Albinism. This genetic condition affects the production of melanin which is the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes.

    Due to the lack of pigmentation, Eunice has had to face various debilitating challenges such as vision impairment, skin cancer risks, job discrimination, and social exclusion. In her interview for the program, Eunice narrates how social isolation has prevented her from finding a good job, forcing her to start her own business. She also regrets how low understanding and awareness in Nigeria has created an unfriendly environment for people like her. The episode will reveal how the telecom giant has intervened to offer relief to Eunice and further grow her business.

    The new season of Airtel Touching Lives episodes, which officially premiered on Sunday, 25th of June 2023, feature several humanitarian projects that have benefited a large number of individuals and communities across Nigeria.

    Commenting on the new series, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, highlighted some interventions that viewers are to expect.

    “This season features stories that are not only touching but also eye-opening, such as the ones about an organization that cares for children with autism and learning disabilities, a community with an auspicious plan to train and empower its youth, and an individual who helps to prevent infant mortality,” he said.

    This episode will also feature a revisit on the Ahmed story, an eight-year-old boy who is battling sickle cell anemia. Ahmed, born into a family with its own daily economic constraints, was in a degenerative state, requiring costly daily medication, until Airtel intervened to provide financial support for Ahmed’s parents.

    Airtel Touching Lives Season 7 airs on Sundays on the following national and cable TV stations: African Magic Urban at 5:00 pm, NTA Network at 6:30 pm, and Startimes Channel 108 at 6:00 pm. Re-runs are broadcast on Tuesdays on African Magic Urban at 3:30 pm, and on Wednesdays on Startimes Channel 108 at 6:30 pm.

    All episodes of Airtel Touching Lives are also available to stream on the Airtel TV app.

  • Feature: Charting Africa’s Financial Connectivity Pathway

    Feature: Charting Africa’s Financial Connectivity Pathway

    by Elvis Eromosele

    Payment is an important driver of commerce and socio-economic development. The evolution of payment is revolutionizing society today. 

    Across the African continent, technology intertwines with tradition forging a path toward financial inclusion. As digital payment infrastructure expands, businesses flourish and communities thrive. The once-insurmountable challenges of accessing financial services are being overcome, opening doors of opportunity for individuals and enterprises alike.

    From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the vibrant cities of Johannesburg, and the ancient wonders of Egypt to the thriving markets of Nigeria, a transformative wave is sweeping across Africa. In this digital age, the continent is witnessing a revolution in the realm of financial connectivity, propelled by the remarkable rise of digital payment systems. 

    Indeed, digital payment adoption is rapidly gaining momentum, reshaping the way transactions take place. Today, digital payment solutions are weaving their way into the fabric of everyday life, revolutionizing the economic landscape. With a growing population embracing the convenience of mobile wallets and contactless transactions, Africa is charting a course toward a cashless future.

    The continent has moved quickly from cards to the latest emerging digital solutions. Now that Contactless is on the board how prepared is Africa to engage, mingle and progress?

    Is Africa ready to step into a realm where innovation intertwines with progress, and where the potential for a more inclusive and prosperous future takes centre stage? The Digital PayExpo 2023, where visionaries, regulators, and industry experts converged to chart Africa’s transformative journey into the contactless revolution provided a scintillating insight into the future.

    Adeyinka Adeyemi, Managing Director/CEO, INTERMARC Consulting, organiser of the forum in his welcome address revealed that the theme of this year’s event The Future is Contactless was chosen in recognition of the trajectory of digital payment. 

    According to him, “We are here to further our understanding of the impact, implications and direction of financial technologies, particularly to glean into the future of contactless payments.”

    Right off the bat, the speakers conceded that financial inclusion has improved across the country with digital payment as the catalyst driving it. They argued that the regulators continue to play a crucial role in fostering confidence in the financial industry, particularly the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) through the insurance of deposits and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) proactive and forward-looking policy.

    Bello Hassan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NDIC, delivering his keynote address emphasized the importance of financial inclusion and highlighted the significant progress made in recent years. He urged regulators to leverage innovation and digitalization to further enhance the function of the emerging digital economy. He pointed out that the introduction of eNaira and insurance for deposits in the financial sector were among the strategies discussed to foster confidence in digital payments and improve financial inclusion.

    Musa Jimoh, Director, Payment Systems, CBN, highlighted the fact that regulators face a dilemma of keeping up with the speed of technological advancements. He stressed that risk mitigation and consumer protection should be top priorities to build trust in the digital payment ecosystem. He noted that it is important that issues around restitution and chargeback mechanisms are addressed effectively to allay consumer concerns.

    Elias Igbinakenzua, MD, Globus Bank, provided insights into the future of banking, which is rapidly evolving towards a digital-first approach. He revealed that the transition from cards to digital payments was driven by smartphone adoption, increased internet penetration, and technological advancements. According to Igbinakenzua, “Efficiency, enhanced personalization, mobile banking dominance, open banking, and collaboration with fintech companies are crucial factors for future success.” 

    Experts, during the panel sessions, discussed the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the financial sector. They emphasized the need for banks to collaborate with fintech companies, leveraging big data analytics to offer personalized services and seamless customer experiences across various touchpoints. The consensus was that collaboration rather than competition between banks and fintechs was the key to success.

    Education and awareness campaigns were deemed essential to address the lack of awareness and device limitations that hinder the adoption of contactless payments. The need for greater collaboration between tech entrepreneurs and the government, as well as the establishment of common regulatory frameworks for AI, was equally highlighted.

    Experts equally emphasized the need for robust security measures, employee education, strong customer authentication, and the creation of alternative credit scores to minimize risks. Collaboration among industry players and the implementation of safety nets such as SIM PINs were identified as crucial steps in ensuring the integrity of digital transactions.

    The Digital PayExpo 2023 highlighted the transformative power of contactless payments and the importance of collaboration, education, and innovation to achieve financial inclusion in Nigeria.

    As the digital banking landscape continues to evolve, industry players must embrace technology, strengthen security measures, and provide seamless customer experiences. With concerted efforts from regulators, banks, fintech companies, and consumers, Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem is poised for significant growth, shaping the future of the nation’s and indeed Africa’s economy.

    Contactless payment refers to a method of making secure and convenient transactions without the need for physical contact between a payment card or mobile device and a payment terminal. It enables users to make payments by simply tapping their contactless-enabled cards or devices, such as smartphones or smartwatches, near a contactless payment terminal.

    With the popularity of mobile payments, contactless credit cards and other payment systems taking off in recent years, it is clear that this trend will not be slowing down anytime soon.

    The consensus is that contactless payment will spurn a tale of innovation and progress in Africa’s transformative journey. As more and more people tap into the potential of this technology, unlocking new possibilities and paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future. The stage is set, the momentum is building, and Africa is ready to embrace the contactless revolution.

    The transformative payment journey for the entire African continent has begun! 

    Elvis Eromosele, a Corporate Communication professional and public affairs analyst lives in Lagos.

  • Afreximbank’s African Medical Centre of Excellence wins Best Health Deal Award

    Afreximbank’s African Medical Centre of Excellence wins Best Health Deal Award

    The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), under development by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja, Nigeria, has received the award for the Best Health Deal in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.

    The award, presented at the 15th Annual EMEA Finance Achievement and Project Awards Charity Dinner in London on 7th June, recognises the AMCE as the most significant health-related transaction across the EMEA region.

    The EMEA Finance Achievement Awards recognize the achievements of the best banks and the most impactful deals and transactions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa Region.

    Mrs. Gwen Mwaba, Afreximbank’s Director & Global Head, Trade Finance who received the award on behalf of Afreximbank, noted that the AMCE project was being implemented with Kings College Hospital (KCH), London, as the clinical and technical partners and that a KCH team, which recently concluded a visit to the project site, had been “overwhelmingly impressed with the pace of progress”.

    The AMCE, scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2025, is being developed as a state-of-the-art hospital that will set the stage for advanced and wide-reaching healthcare in Nigeria and Africa. It is envisioned as a 500-bed secondary and tertiary healthcare institution offering a wide range of services and specializations.

    It will offer a broad spectrum of care services, including oncology, cardiology, haematology, and general healthcare, in addition to providing the full range of medical services, including diagnostics, treatment, nuclear medicine, surgery and post-surgical care. The AMCE will also have supplementary components, such as a pharmaceuticals section, retail outlets and malls, academic and research centres, and hospitality and residential units.

    Oluranti Doherty, Director, Export Development commented: “this award is a testament to the hard work and many hours of toiling by the multi-faceted and creative teams working on this highly impactive project. Our goal, as Afreximbank is to revolutionize the healthcare landscape in the West African region, to begin with, and to the entire Africa region. Congratulations to all the teams involved.”

    Brian Deaver, CEO, AMCE commented “this award clearly demonstrates what lies ahead for the AMCE – a new dawn in provision of best in class, globally recognized quality healthcare and clinical services in Africa, in support of Afreximbank’s leadership in trade and trade facilitation in Africa. My team and I are geared and excited to take up this challenge”.  

  • inDrive.Couriers Celebrates Two Years with Bold Expansion into Two New Cities in Nigeria

    inDrive.Couriers Celebrates Two Years with Bold Expansion into Two New Cities in Nigeria

    – inDrive.Couriers, a service to help users order same-day and on-demand delivery, proudly celebrates two years of successful operation in Lagos, Nigeria. This achievement is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence within the logistics industry, amid economic challenges.

    To provide even more excellent coverage, inDrive is thrilled to announce its expansion into two additional Nigerian cities, Abuja and Ibadan. This expansion signifies the company’s growth and commitment to offering its unique peer-to-peer model of courier services to an even larger Nigerian audience.

    The unique model allows customers and drivers to negotiate delivery costs, ensuring a fair price. It has been embraced for its cost-effective and streamlined solution in the face of rising fuel prices. With this expansion, inDrive brings this innovative approach to Abuja and Ibadan, further contributing to the logistics landscape in Nigeria.

    inDrive.Couriers offers its services around the clock, focusing on fast collection of packages up to 20kg, with real-time tracking. The platform allows clients to review the courier’s rating and order completion history before selection, ensuring the highest level of transparency and trust.

    With e-commerce flourishing across the continent, inDrive sees significant growth opportunities in this sector. The courier service’s expansion into Abuja and Ibadan comes at a time when Africa’s e-commerce market is forecast to witness unprecedented growth, making inDrive’s services crucial in facilitating trade and commerce. inDrive intends to work closely with small to medium-sized businesses; these in turn stand to benefit as these services enable a broader customer base and promote supply chain efficiency.

    The recent launch of inDrive’s moto delivery service adds another layer to their commitment to their clients. The new service, aimed primarily at businesses, increases the speed and efficiency of deliveries, reaffirming inDrive’s pledge to continuously adapt and innovate to meet the needs of the evolving market. As the number of moto couriers has grown rapidly, the service has become even cheaper than ride-hailing.

    “Celebrating two years of operation and expanding into Abuja and Ibadan are significant milestones for us. These achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of our team and the effectiveness of our unique peer-to-peer model. We are dedicated to nurturing the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria and beyond by continuously improving and expanding our courier services to meet the evolving market demands.” said Stanislav Troskin, Director of inDrive.Couriers.

  • Airtel Employees Give Students a Reason to Imagine, Provides Access to Digital Education

    Airtel Employees Give Students a Reason to Imagine, Provides Access to Digital Education

    Employees of Airtel Nigeria, under its CSR initiative, Employee Volunteer Scheme Initiative, paid a visit to Kuramo College, a government secondary school in Lagos, and donated modern routers, each equipped with 100GB of data and a two-month roll-over access fee.

    The connection devices were donated by Airtel’s Information and Technology team, aiming to empower students with enhanced digital connectivity.

    Speaking during the event, Director, Information and Technology, Seun Solanke, said, “Airtel aims to empower young minds by equipping them with the connectivity to imagine and unlock a world of knowledge and opportunities.

    “For Airtel, it is no longer about being a smartphone network but giving people a reason to imagine, so that people can explore the possibilities powered by technology and connectivity. The world is evolving, young Nigerians now have access to unlimited possibilities and can now create their job titles and descriptions, which is why we now have YouTubers, social media Influencers and the likes.”

    He concluded by encouraging the students to maximize the provision of connectivity to back up their future imaginations with the right information and resources in other to ensure a bright future.

    The activities under the Airtel Nigeria Employee Volunteer Scheme, said Airtel management, aligns with the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in the country and enabling students to leverage the power of the internet, as the distribution of routers with data plans will ensure that students have uninterrupted access to educational resources, research materials, and online learning platforms, regardless of their socio-economic background.

  • Total allotments for FGN Savings Bonds rise to N5.06bn in 5 months – NGX

    Total allotments for FGN Savings Bonds rise to N5.06bn in 5 months – NGX

    Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has revealed that the total allotments for FGN Savings Bonds has risen to N5.06 billion in the first five months of 2023.

    The Divisional Head, Capital Markets at NGX, Jude Chiemeka, made this known during the NGX Savings Bond webinar 2023 organised by the Exchange in collaboration with Optimus by Afrinvest, a foremost fintech platform, supported by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and CSL Stockbrokers.

    Chiemeka noted that the webinar was aimed at creating more awareness on the benefits of FGN Savings Bonds to the investing public especially the retail segment of the market, as this would encourage participation in investments and further enhance financial inclusion in the country.

    While stating that the retail savings bond product was introduced by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on behalf of the Federal Government in 2017 to democratise its activities in the bond market by making it easily accessible to Nigerians to ensure continuous development of the domestic market and bridge infrastructure deficit which has been a constraint to economic growth, he revealed that activities in the FGN Savings Bonds market have remained on the upward trend in the current year.

    “FGN Savings Bonds market have remained on the upward trend in the current year (from January to May) with allotments at an average of N1.01 billion (Total allotments from January – May stands at N5.06 billion). However, there remains the opportunity for further participation by the investing public.

    As inflation remains unrelentingly on the upward trajectory (Now at 22.22 per cent as at May), the yields on FGN Savings Bond, which are in double digits, offers an opportunity for investors to taper negative real interest rates”, he said.

    He thereafter said that the Exchange remains keen to provide an efficient, liquid and transparent market for investors and businesses in Africa, to access capital and build wealth while adding that it continue to collaborate with all market stakeholders for the collective growth and development of the capital market in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the Director-General, DMO, Ms Patience Oniha, represented by the Director, Market Development Department, DMO, Monday Usiade, during the webinar revealed that FG had successfully raised N50.2bn from about 35,000 subscribers so far.

    Commending the NGX for its role in enlightening retail investors of the opportunity that exists in fixed income securities market, especially with respect to the FGN savings bond, the DG said that the DMO uses the FGN bond benchmark yield curve to price the savings bond to ensure that retail investors earn comparable returns.

  • IHVN set to launch a Campus of Excellence in Public Health Implementation, Training and Research in Nigeria.

    IHVN set to launch a Campus of Excellence in Public Health Implementation, Training and Research in Nigeria.

    …Professor Robert Gallo, Globally Acclaimed Co-Discoverer of HIV expected to grace the occasion among other dignitaries

    The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has announced it will officially launch its state-of-the-art multi-campus of excellence in public healthcare, treatment training, and research to bring quality health services within the reach of millions of Nigerians.

    The IHVN Campus, located on Plot 62, Emeritus Umaru Shehu Avenue, Cadastral Zone, COO, Abuja, is a combination of leasable office buildings, clinical laboratories for diagnosis, research, and training, functional clinic spaces for patient care and clinical trials, bio-specimen repositories for storage and management of bio-specimens, multi-media lecture auditoriums and meeting rooms and offices.

    The event, which will take place on June 6, will be preceded by a scientific seminar on addressing local health challenges through quality research and partnership. The seminar will bring together key scientists and public-private stakeholders in the health sector with Professor Robert Gallo, Director, Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore USA; Professor Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director, International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), and Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, Director General of Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) as the main speakers.

    As an internationally recognized local and nonprofit organization, IHVN is structured to develop and maintain linkages with other local and international organizations, in collaborative ways that support the Government of Nigeria’s health sector strategic plans. IHVN focuses on the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, COVID-19, Cancer, and other infectious and non-infectious diseases.

    Speaking about the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Dakum, says “The commissioning of the IHVN Campus demonstrates the Institute’s commitment as a leader in providing health service implementation, capacity building, research and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services through innovative and evidence-based strategies.” Dr. Dakum also says that with its two centers now on campus: the Program Implementation Center (PIC) and the International Research Center of Excellence, the Institute will continue to develop training and expertise for the sustainability of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Cancer programs.

    The commissioning of the IHVN Campus is expected to revolutionize the fight against emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases in Nigeria and the African Continent.