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All Posts in "Day: July 17, 2025"

BJAN Meet With Stanbic IBTC To Boost Industry Relations 

By Winifred Bosa

In a bid to foster stronger industry partnerships and promote the upcoming annual conference, BJAN executive members paid a courtesy visit to Stanbic IBTC. The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration, expanding market outreach, and reinforcing mutual interests within the financial sector. The photo captures the warm exchange between BJAN leaders and Stanbic IBTC representatives.

Winifred Bosa by — July 17, 2025 in brands and Marketing 0

By Winifred Bosa
FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development.
 This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.
The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.
FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund.
The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions.
 The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.
‘’We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”
Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.
FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail
About FirstBank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited “FirstBank”, established in 1894, is the premier bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion services provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant.
FirstBank’s international footprints cut across three continents ─ Africa, Europe and Asia, with FirstBank UK Limited in London and Paris; FirstBank in The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea and Sierra Leone; FBNBank in Senegal; and a FirstBank Representative Office in Beijing, China. All the subsidiary banks are fully registered by their respective Central Banks to provide full banking services.
Besides providing domestic banking services, the subsidiaries also engage in international cross-border transactions with FirstBank’s non-Nigerian subsidiaries, and the representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe into Nigeria and other African countries.
For over 13 decades, FirstBank has built an outstanding reputation for solid relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position, and has been at the forefront of promoting digital payment in the country with over 13 million cards issued to customers (the first bank to achieve such a milestone in Nigeria). FirstBank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with virtually over 25 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.
With over 43 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) spread across Nigeria, UK and sub-Saharan Africa, the Bank provides a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 280,000 agent locations spread across 772 out of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
In addition to banking solutions and services, FirstBank provides pension fund custody services in Nigeria through First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited and nominee and associated services through First Nominees Nigeria Limited.
FirstBank’s commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 41%:59%; and 37% women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.  In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.
For six consecutive years (2011 – 2016), FirstBank was named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” eight times in a row, 2011 – 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards.
Significantly, FirstBank’s Global Credit Rating was A+ with a positive outlook while ratings by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s were A (nga) and ngBBB+ respectively both with Stable outlooks as at September 2023. FirstBank maintained the same level of international credit ratings as the sovereign; a milestone that was achieved in 2022 for the first time since 2015.
In 2024, FirstBank received notable international awards and accolades. Some of these include Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG 2024 and Nigeria’s Best Bank for Corporates 2024 both awarded by Euromoney Awards for Excellence; Best SME Bank in Africa and in Nigeria by The Asian Banker Global Awards; Best Private Bank in Nigeria and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa by Global Finance Awards; Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best CSR Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best Retail Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best SME Bank in Nigeria 2024 and Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2024 all awarded by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
FirstBank has continued to gain wide acclaim on the global stage with several international awards and recognitions received so far in 2025 which includes Best SME Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best SME Bank in Africa 2025 by The Asian Banker; Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2025 by Global Finance Awards; SME Financier of the Year in Nigeria 2025 by The Digital Banker Global SME Banking Innovation Awards; Best Retail Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best Bank for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria 2025 all by The Annual Global Economics Awards.
Our vision is “To be Africa’s Bank of first choice” and our mission is “To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible”. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity. Our strategic ambition is “To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution.”
Online Poster by — July 17, 2025 in News 0
Moniepoint Recognised By CNBC As One Of The World’s Top Fintech Companies 

By Fidelia Okafor
Moniepoint Inc. (“Moniepoint” or the “Company”), one of Africa’s leading business payments and digital banking platforms, announces it has been named as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC, reinforcing the Company’s pioneering role in widening access to financial services across the continent.
Moniepoint joins a selected group of leading fintech players recognised for their financial performance and success across 2023-2024. The list – compiled by CNBC in conjunction with market research firm Statista – follows analysis of key performance indicators, such as revenue growth, transaction volume, employee headcount, and capital raised. The result is a diverse group of 250 trailblazing fintech companies.
Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint (formerly known as TeamApt Inc.) has been instrumental in advancing financial inclusion across Africa – especially for individuals and businesses operating in the informal economy, underserved by formal and traditional institutions. The Company services 10 million+ customers through its comprehensive, integrated ecosystem of digital banking, credit, payments, and business management tools, and processes over one billion transactions monthly with volumes exceeding US$22 billion.
The accolade follows recent milestones for the Company which reiterate Moniepoint’s commitment to innovation and widening access to the formal financial system.
Notably, Moniepoint expanded its offering to Africans in the international diaspora via the launch of the MonieWorld platform. MonieWorld offers seamless remittance and digital financial services capabilities to individuals in markets such as the UK; the first time the Company has provided services to consumers outside Africa.
In June, Moniepoint was named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025, highlighting the Company’s extraordinary impact. Moniepoint has also been recognised by the Financial Times for three consecutive years as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, reflecting its remarkable revenue growth and business expansion; and by CB Insights in the Fintech 100 list, highlighting the Company’s status as one of the world’s most promising private fintech companies.
Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said:
“It is an honour to be named as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC. Moniepoint’s inclusion in this prestigious, authoritative list is testament to the hard-work and success of the entire team while highlighting our emergence as a key player shaping the future of fintech worldwide. Our mission to power the dreams of millions of African entrepreneurs and businesses continues to propel us forward with renewed vigor. As we continue to scale, we remain committed to driving global financial inclusion and widening access to economic opportunities for Africans everywhere – transforming lives and livelihoods.”
CNBC’s list of the world’s top fintech companies was launched in 2023 to identify global market leaders in technology-driven financial services. The list, which includes companies operating across various regions and market categories including banking solutions, digital assets, and payments, highlights the dynamic and rapidly evolving FinTech industry, offering readers, investors, and stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the leading players across various segments.
Online Poster by — July 17, 2025 in News 0
MAN, RMRDC Seek Innovative  Tech Solutions For Industrial Growth

By Fidelia Okafor
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is collaborating with the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to accelerate manufacturing through Cutting-edge technology solutions for industrial growth at the forthcoming 2025 Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo (NME) and the Nigerian Raw Materials Expo (NIRAM).
The NME & NIRAM Expo   which is scheduled to hold on August 5 to 7, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Balmoral Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, is themed   “Accelerating Sustainable Manufacturing through Cutting-edge Technology Solutions.”
President of MAN, Franchise Meshioye noted that the theme is expected to drive the attention of stakeholders to engage on innovative technology solutions that will improve the process of manufacturing and in turn improve quality of products manufactured locally in Nigeria.
“By embracing cutting-edge technologies, we are heading towards a drive for innovation, resilience, and long-term value for our stakeholders.’
Meshioye said the  focus of the expo is to spark conversations around deployment of energy-efficiency in production facilities; implementation of smart factory technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to optimize resource use; waste reduction strategies through closed-loop systems and advanced recycling methods; and engender partnerships with green tech innovators to co-develop scalable, sustainable solutions.
“Of course, the peculiarity of this exhibition is equipment. Our goal is therefore to showcase locally fabricated machines and equipment. Let’s jointly see what is possible in Nigeria and then lean on the strength of collaborating with foreign counterparts to improve locally manufactured goods.”
The MAN boss remarked that as a nation,  we have continued to evolve in the  manufacturing process; a far departure from where we used to be. “Our evolution has come from continuous learning and patronage,” adding that “with the expo and the stakeholders,  we want to engender conversations around Nigeria First in terms of showing dignitaries, delegates and participants locally made equipment, raw materials within their reach and innovative inventions that can transform our processes and then attract more patronage.
“To put it simply and succinctly, the entire value chain of the manufacturing sector will be present at this year’s edition of the expo and reflect the Nigeria First Policy of the Federal Government.”
“The NME & NIRAM Expo will serve as a solutions hub for exhibitors and conference delegates alike. The Expo seeks to provide one-stop shops for equipment manufacturers, raw materials producers, processors, local fabricators and other stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to showcase their new and emerging technologies, machinery, equipment, and innovations.
‘This event serves as a pivotal platform for embracing home-grown technology to scale-up locally manufactured goods, support sustainable development, and discourage over-dependence on foreign products. We must also remain committed to utilizing locally sourced raw materials and leveraging essential support services, such as locally sourced funding and logistics, to drive our manufacturing endeavors and propel us into the much awaited prosperous and sustainable future.
“Consistent with our tradition, the NME will hold concurrently with Nigerian Raw Materials (Expo) powered by the Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC) featuring manufacturing equipment, raw materials, panel sessions and latest research findings delivered by carefully selected experts.
“Another significant feature is the Women in Manufacturing session, affording accomplished women in the field the opportunity to share their experiences with aspiring female manufacturers who may be considering entry into the sector.
The MAN emphasized that the expo is not just another edition, but a strategic advantage in a competitive global market.
“As technology continues to evolve, the opportunity to drive meaningful changes in manufacturing grows stronger. The time to act is now—for our businesses, our communities, our continent and our planet.”
For the Direct General of the RMRDC, Martin Ike Muonso, who was represented by Dr Edith Obi, Overseeing Director, States Industrial Extension Services , the vision is to  drive innovation in raw materials development and socialization to support business growth and contribute meaningful to economic prosperity.
This he said led to  the 30% value-addition bill, which has gone through post-renewal, and is  awaiting the present answer to this bill.
He said when  the bill is passed into the law, no raw materials will be exported
out of the country without at least 30% value-addition being added to it.
He said the nation’s local raw material should  be utilized here in this country without taking them raw out of Africa and Nigeria.
On the expo, he said it’s all about enhancing raw materials potentials that we have in abundance in the country.
“To promote this, we have gotten in touch with a lot of other stakeholders to ensure the success of this event.
We have gotten across to stakeholders like the Organized Private Sector in Nigeria,  farmers group, the fabricators, as well as resource-based industries, since  they are all involved in raw materials value chain.
We want them in a single umbrella.
“All of us are coming together to talk about how we can improve the quality of our raw materials.
“We want to be proud of our products and that is the essence of this expo. The fabricators are coming together, the users, the manufacturers,  and the SMEs will be here.
“All of us will be here to enjoy and patronize our locally made products.”
Online Poster by — July 17, 2025 in News 0