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How Africa’s Largest Payments Network is Integrating Social Mission With Business Aspirations

Published

2 years ago

21/05/2024

Being deliberate about creating a “greater purpose” is essential to building an authentic corporate culture, engaging stakeholders, and navigating the evolving landscape of corporate philanthropy. This is the philosophy behind Africa’s largest digital payments network, Onafriq’s, extensive growth and vision to unify the continent’s digital payments landscape according to its General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer Funmi Dele-Giwa.

Dele-Giwa recently shared insights into the organisation’s unique position at the intersection of social impact and commercial ambition at the Women in Payments Symposium EMEA, held in London. During her speech, she delved into the company’s journey in delivering greater financial access and connecting all of Africa into a single integrated network that empowers both individuals and businesses.

“The purpose of Onafriq from the very onset was one of providing financial access to marginalised individuals on the African continent and having a positive impact in the countries we operate in and the clients we serve,” she said. “That is why Onafriq was built on the back of a strong belief that mobile money would serve as a strong enabler of financial access to millions of under- or unserved Africans.”

Established nearly 15 years ago with the mantra of “making borders matter less”, the company aims to facilitate cross-border payment services within Africa – as well as in and out of Africa. This is underpinned by the vision of its Founder and CEO Dare Okoudjou, that making a payment anywhere in the world, to anywhere across the globe should be as easy and as painless as it is to make a phone call.

Today, Onafriq’s payments network connects more than 1,300 cross-border payment corridors providing access to more than 500 million mobile wallets and 200 million bank accounts across 40 African markets. This vast digital infrastructure is a testament to its position as the “network of networks”, enabling services like cross-border payments, remittances, card issuing, agency banking and more, which facilitate seamless money flow from, to, and across the continent.

During her talk at the symposium, Dele-Giwa noted that remittance services were a key example of this marriage of concepts, having particularly emerged as a powerful tool for boosting economic growth and financial empowerment. By partnering with international remittance companies, the Onafriq network enables the significant pool of migrant workers from Africa in the diaspora to send and receive money efficiently and affordably. She notes, however, that remittances are not just the privy of the global north to south, as there is significant intra-Africa remittance demand which has traditionally remained unmet. Through partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs) across the Continent, Onafriq is bridging gaps between countries like Kenya and Uganda, as well as Cameroon and Nigeria, by digitising and facilitating intra-Africa remittance flows.

“Strategic collaborations between key sectors of Africa’s financial services landscape are key to unlocking the full potential of remittances as a catalyst for economic growth and development,” said Dele-Giwa. “As such, fostering robust partnerships between payment networks and mobile money platforms is important to enabling greater remittance flows given the widespread adoption of mobile wallets across the continent.”

Another way that Onafriq is blending the principles of social betterment with business objectives is by empowering small businesses in Africa to flourish and grow by enabling access to a wider range of choices in disbursing or collecting digital payments over cash. Onafriq’s partnership with One Acre Fund is an example of how the company’s network has contributed to providing small-scale farmers with asset-based financing services.

“Our work to open up markets and connect people to opportunities continues to empower the African gig economy, enabling GDOs to deliver cash assistance to needy communities and international merchants to pay local creators, influencers and artists, as well as helping small traders to sell their goods across borders, by simplifying the ways they can pay and can get paid,” said Dele-Giwa.

Another notable aspect of Onafriq’s journey of positive social impact, according to Dele-Giwa, is its commitment to empowering women. Through its agent network in Nigeria, women entrepreneurs are able to generate additional income by becoming agents, and by using the Baxi point of sale device they can easily manage payments for their shops and market stalls. Furthermore, partnerships with organisations like the One Acre Fund helped to empower women in small-scale farming, amplifying their economic participation.

For those seeking to emulate Onafriq’s success, Dele-Giwa noted that it was important to align their social mission with the innovation and collaboration needed to achieve a positive impact while pursuing commercial success.

“Let’s remember, it’s not just about the services we offer. It’s about the impact we make while doing so,” she said. “It’s important to share those impactful stories of empowerment and positive change delivered as a result of your products and services, but it is also important to create a set of impact metrics to measure success by. This way you are always able to hold yourself accountable to employees, shareholders, regulators, clients, and other stakeholders.”

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DSS Re-Arraigns Malami, Son on Terrorism, Firearms Charges

Published

8 hours ago

15/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday re-arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his son, Abdulaziz, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The counsel to the DSS, Mr Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that an amended charge has been filed to replace an earlier one on which they had been arraigned.

Mr Kehinde applied to withdraw the earlier charge and requested that the amended one be read to the defendant for the pleas to be taken afresh.

The counsel to the defendants, Mr Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), confirmed that his clients were served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.

Mr Malami and his son are alleged to have, in December 2025, prepared to commit acts of terrorism by having in their possession and without a license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar.

However, Mr Malami and his son both pleaded not guilty, following which the prosecution sought a date for the commencement of the trial.

Mr Aruwa did not object to a date for trial, but prayed the court to allow the defendants to remain on the bail earlier granted them by the court, on the conditions they had met.

With Mr Kehinde not opposing Mr Aruwa’s oral application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the defendants should continue on the bail earlier granted them on February 27, which conditions they had met.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned till May 26 and June 15 for trial.

Counts in the amended charge read:

“That you Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

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DHQ Denies Deploying Repentant Boko Haram Fighters to Tackle Terrorism

Published

8 hours ago

15/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that repentant and active Boko Haram members are being armed to fight alongside Nigerian troops under Operation Safe Corridor.

The allegation, made in a viral video by a Danish vlogger identified as Jones Raw, was described by the military as “false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”

The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, clarified that the facility shown in the video is not one of the programme’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) camps.

He explained that the official OPSC facility handling former Boko Haram members is located in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State, and operates as a secure and controlled military environment.

According to him, the location depicted in the video does not match the structural design, layout, or operational setting of the recognised facility.

He further noted that neither the vlogger nor the individuals featured in the footage have ever been granted access to the camp.

The officer stressed that Operation Safe Corridor is a strictly non-kinetic, multi-agency initiative focused on the deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of carefully screened individuals.

“At no point are participants armed, mobilised, or deployed for combat operations,” he said, adding that beneficiaries are handed over to state authorities after completing the programme and remain under monitoring frameworks.

He added that the initiative operates with the support of international partners, including the European Union, ensuring adherence to global best practices and transparency.

The DHQ maintained that the programme remains a key component of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy, aimed at reducing the number of active fighters and encouraging voluntary disengagement from insurgent groups.

He also invited credible observers to visit the OPSC facility in Mallam Sidi to independently verify its operations, urging the public to disregard the misleading claims, which seek to destabilise the country.

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10 Reasons to Join the MTN MIP 2026 Webinar April 16

Published

15 hours ago

15/04/2026

Business Post Contributor

If you work in media and have been watching the industry shift around you, faster news cycles, shrinking revenues, AI in the newsroom, the MTN Media Innovation Programme may be exactly the kind of intervention your career needs right now.

Now in its fifth edition and bigger than it has ever been, MIP 2026 is calling for applications. The webinar on April 16 is your best first step.

What Is the MTN Media Innovation Programme?

The MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) is a certificate course run by the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, with a focus on the convergence between ICT and the media. It is a fellowship for journalists and media practitioners across the entire spectrum, including social media, designed to help them build capacity at both professional and business levels, delivered over a six-month period.

The programme gives participants skills to create better content, run media businesses, and earn money in a tough industry. It mixes classroom time, international trips, and real-world visits.

This year, the programme crosses a significant milestone. The cohort has been expanded to 25 fellows, up from 20 in previous editions, as a deliberate reflection of MTN Nigeria’s 25-year anniversary.

Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, explained the thinking behind it: “The expansion to 25 fellows this year is a deliberate reflection of our 25-year milestone, and a reminder that as the media industry continues to evolve, there is a continued need to invest in the people and ideas that will shape its future.”

MTN is hosting a webinar on April 16 to walk prospective applicants through everything they need to know. Here is why you should be on that call.

You will understand exactly what MIP is built to do. MIP is designed to increase participants’ knowledge and skill base and help them understand the changing media landscape and how to effectively use technology to create impactful media content. The webinar is your clearest path to grasping that mission before you apply.
You will learn how to apply correctly, before it is too late. With less than a week between the webinar and the closing date, attendance gives you just enough time to fix mistakes and strengthen your submission before the April 22 deadline.
You will know for certain whether you qualify. MIP is open to media practitioners and digital content creators across the entire spectrum, including social media. But eligibility has specific requirements. The webinar helps you confirm your fit before you invest time in the application.
You will understand what the selectors are actually looking for. Shortlisted candidates are reviewed independently based on professional merit, potential impact, and their commitment to the evolution of African media. Knowing this helps you position your application more effectively.
You will grasp the full scope of the curriculum. Fellows build skills in three main areas: the telecom industry, media innovation, and writing and reporting. Modules cover media entrepreneurship, ethics, fintech, 5G, financial reporting, and more. The webinar will walk you through what that looks like in practice.
You will learn about the international component. Accepted participants get a seven-day, all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa for special training in Johannesburg, including a day at MTN Nigeria Headquarters and another at MTN Group Headquarters, plus industry visits and tours at an Innovation Hub.
You will hear what past fellows actually experienced. The alumni speak for themselves. Oloye Ayodele Samuel, CEO of Rock FM Jalingo and a past MIP fellow, described it this way: “This fellowship is a transformative experience that has completely shifted my perspective. From Nigeria to South Africa, the training and conversations have ignited a burning desire to push beyond the status quo. It’s a new future reimagined, and it’s coming soon.”
You will see the career value of the alumni network. The programme has built a strong alumni network, with participants occupying key roles across media organisations and contributing to public discourse through impactful storytelling. The webinar will show you what that network looks like and what it can open up for growth.
You will get your questions answered live. A few things sharpen an application like a direct answer to the question you were afraid to ask. A live session removes the guesswork that costs candidates competitive ground.
You will leave with the momentum to apply actually. Content Strategist and MIP 2 fellow Anu Odubanjo put it plainly: “If you are in the media industry, here is a life-changing opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Being selected as one of the 20 fellows for the second cohort of the fully funded media fellowship out of over 2,500 applications was definitely the highlight of 2023 for me. Truly an unforgettable experience and one I will forever cherish.”