Banking
Ecobank Partners China’s XTransfer to Empower African SMEs Foreign Trade
By Adedapo Adesanya
African lender, Ecobank, has partnered with China’s business-to-business (B2B) cross-border trade payment platform, XTransfer, to empower African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) foreign trade.
XTransfer will leverage Ecobank’s extensive network across Africa, enabling its Chinese clients to collect funds in local African currencies while assisting African SMEs in making payments in their local currencies to negate foreign exchange (FX) issues.
The two parties have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation (MOU) to roll out comprehensive cross-border financial services that will facilitate trade between China and African countries.
In recent years, China and Africa have continued to deepen trade cooperation, with the scale of imports and exports rising rapidly. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a record $282 billion. From January to November 2024, China’s exports to Africa totalled $160 billion, a 1.4 per cent increase from the previous year, while imports from Africa reached US$107 billion, marking a substantial rise of 6.6 per cent.
Despite this growth, African SMEs engaged in foreign trade face numerous challenges related to cross-border payments and fund collections. These challenges include difficulties in opening accounts with traditional banks, a high risk of funds being frozen, difficulties in foreign exchange and related losses, lengthy remittance times and high remittance costs.
The partnership between XTransfer and Ecobank Group will foster collaboration between both parties to provide comprehensive cross-border payment solutions for African SMEs’ foreign trade.
XTransfer will leverage Ecobank’s extensive network across Africa, enabling its Chinese clients to collect funds in local African currencies while assisting African SMEs in making payments in their local currencies to negate foreign exchange issues.
The partnership also seeks to help reduce the costs of global trade and enhance the global competitiveness of African SMEs.
Speaking on this move, Mr Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, stated, “We are excited about the partnership with Ecobank. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for XTransfer and greatly enhances our global payment capabilities. Leveraging Ecobank’s extensive payment network in Africa will accelerate our business expansion in the region.
“We are looking forward to the synergies and opportunities this partnership will create. Together, we will drive innovation and improve the financial landscape, making financial services more efficient and accessible for African SMEs.”
On his part, Mr Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, said by collaborating with XTransfer, Ecobank is strengthening its position as a key player in the global payments industry by reducing trade barriers, enabling African SMEs to thrive in international markets and contributing to the continent’s sustainable development.
“We are proud to partner with XTransfer to advance seamless cross-border payment solutions between Africa and China. This partnership builds on our established strategy, which includes a representative office in China and a dedicated China desk.
“By integrating XTransfer’s cutting-edge solutions with our pan-African payment platform, we simplify payments, reduce transaction costs, and enable African businesses to thrive in global trade.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The sum of N427.96 million has been disbursed to more than 1,000 enrollees as surplus by Noor Takaful Insurance Limited and Noor Health Limited.
The payment of surplus is a demonstration of gratitude, accountability, reflection, and celebration of promises made and kept.
At the 2024 Surplus Distribution and Claims Celebration Ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, a total of 22 participants were given surplus payments by Noor Takaful, while 2 enrollees received surplus payments from Noor Health.
Some of the participants that received surplus payments included Jaiz Bank, Lotus Bank, Sterling Bank, The Alternative Bank, Payvantage Limited, Integrated Indigo Limited, Smadac Securities, and Taxaide Logistics.
At the event themed Promise Kept: Celebrating Takaful’s Commitment to Shared Reward, the chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed, explained that the company has proven over the years that surplus distribution is not a theoretical concept but a model that works in practice, as evidenced by its consistent payments to participants. He acknowledged that there is growing acceptance of Takaful, as it is increasingly recognised as a credible and established alternative to conventional insurance.
“At Noor, however, we believe it is more than just an alternative. We believe it is a better alternative. We say this because Takaful is built around values that are fundamental to how financial protection should work: equity, fairness, mutual responsibility, transparency, and shared benefit,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Mr Aminu Tukur, stated that the 2024 surplus distribution was based on the performance of the participants’ risk pool after claims and other obligations had been settled.
Mr Tukur disclosed that the company had grown from a humble beginning of about 60 participants at its inception to approximately 4,000, noting that the company will continue to collaborate with regulators and other stakeholders to promote Takaful and deepen insurance awareness across Nigeria. He added that the company will mark 10 years of operations in 2027.
He explained further that since inception, the company has cumulatively paid N22 billion in claims to beneficiaries/participants, with General Takaful accounting for N7.4 billion and Family Takaful contributing N14.5 billion.
“Our role is to ensure proper management and administration of funds, which includes investments. Secondly, we have a responsibility to ensure that every genuine claim is paid on a timely and stress-free basis,” he stressed.
In his remarks, the chief executive of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Ayo Omosehin, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Insurance, Technical, NAICOM, Mr Usman Jankara, described the payment of surplus to participants as a practical demonstration of the values that define cooperation, shared responsibility, fairness, ethical conduct, and collective prosperity.
He stated that the distribution of surplus by Noor Takaful clearly demonstrates that participants are not merely purchasers of protection but contributors to a system built on cooperation and mutual benefit.
“This has sent a strong message that Takaful can create measurable value while remaining faithful to its ethical foundation,” he added.
Speaking on the recapitalisation exercise for insurance companies recently carried out by NAICOM, he stated that Takaful operators were exempted as they had undergone a similar exercise 4 years ago. According to him, there is no compelling need at the moment for recapitalisation of the Takaful segment of the insurance industry, as all the Takaful operators are well capitalised.
While commending the company for reaching the milestone and promoting participants’ education and engagement, he stressed that NAICOM would continue to support Takaful’s growth while ensuring proper regulatory oversight.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The transaction banking capabilities of Stanbic IBTC Bank have been improved with the upgrade of its software to FinnAxia® 9.0.
This was made possible through the collaboration between the financial institution and Nucleus Software, a leading provider of lending and transaction banking solutions.
The milestone reflects more than a decade of collaboration between both organisations in strengthening transaction banking capabilities and delivering enhanced value to corporate and institutional clients.
As customer expectations continue to evolve and businesses increasingly demand seamless, real-time and digitally enabled banking services, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Nucleus Software remain focused on leveraging technology to improve service delivery, enhance operational efficiency and support business growth.
The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 enhances Stanbic IBTC Bank’s transaction banking platform, strengthening its ability to deliver integrated payments, collections, liquidity management and cash management solutions.
The upgrade supports greater agility across operations, improves automation and connectivity, enhances digital experiences for customers, and provides a scalable foundation for future growth and innovation.
Across Africa, transaction banking is entering a new phase of transformation as businesses increasingly seek real-time payments, digital trade services, intelligent liquidity management and connected banking experiences.
Financial institutions are therefore investing in modern technology platforms that enable faster innovation while maintaining resilience, security and customer-centric service delivery.
The adoption of FinnAxia® 9.0 aligns with Stanbic IBTC Bank’s broader strategy of leveraging technology to create value for clients and maintain high standards of operational excellence.
“Our relationship with Nucleus Software has spanned a decade and forms part of our broader commitment to continuously strengthening the solutions and services we provide to clients.
“As transaction banking continues to evolve, we remain focused on investing in capabilities that help businesses operate with greater speed, visibility and confidence.
“The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 enhances our transaction banking platform and strengthens our ability to deliver innovative, efficient and customer-focused solutions in a rapidly changing environment,” the Executive Director of Corporate and Transaction Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Eric Fajemisin, stated.
Also speaking on the development, the Head of Transaction Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Jesuseun Fatoyinbo, said, “Transaction banking today is about delivering intelligent, seamless and responsive experiences for customers. This enhancement further strengthens our ability to simplify customer journeys, improve operational efficiency and introduce new capabilities more rapidly. It reflects our continued commitment to supporting clients with solutions that evolve alongside their business needs and growth ambitions.”
Speaking on the milestone, the chief executive of Nucleus Software, Parag Bhise, said, “We value our long-standing relationship with Stanbic IBTC Bank and are pleased to support the Bank’s continued efforts to enhance its transaction banking capabilities.
“FinnAxia® 9.0 has been designed to help financial institutions respond to evolving customer expectations through improved automation, connectivity and operational efficiency.”
The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 represents the latest step in the ongoing collaboration between Stanbic IBTC Bank and Nucleus Software to strengthen transaction banking capabilities and deliver innovative solutions that support the evolving needs of businesses.
By combining Stanbic IBTC Bank’s customer-centric approach with Nucleus Software’s technology expertise, the partnership continues to drive greater efficiency, agility and value for corporate and institutional clients.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Standard Chartered has launched its ninth sub-fund under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform, partnering with Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) as the sub-manager to provide eligible clients with access to a gold-focused investment strategy.
The new Signature Select Enhanced Gold Income Fund combines exposure to gold with an enhanced income-generation strategy. The fund invests in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and uses a covered call strategy to seek regular income while allowing investors to participate in the potential long-term appreciation of gold.
Standard Chartered said gold could help diversify investment portfolios because of its relatively low correlation with traditional asset classes and its potential to provide resilience during periods of geopolitical, monetary and market uncertainty.
The fund is available from this month to Accredited and Professional Investors across the Bank’s Priority, Priority Private and Private Banking segments in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jersey, Kenya and Nigeria. Taiwan is expected to be added later in 2026.
AllianzGI, which has more than 700 investment professionals globally as of March 31, 2026, will provide investment management expertise for the fund.
Its Global Multi Asset Team will be responsible for options selection and the day-to-day management of the portfolio, drawing on its experience in portfolio construction, derivatives implementation, risk management and multi-asset investing across different market cycles.
Mr Sumeet Bhambri, Global Head, Advisory and Managed Investments, Wealth Solutions, Standard Chartered, said the partnership with AllianzGI would strengthen the bank’s latest VCC fund and provide clients with a differentiated investment strategy.
“As clients seek greater diversification amid an increasingly uncertain market environment, the fund provides access to a differentiated strategy that combines gold’s portfolio diversification benefits with enhanced income potential,” Mr Bhambri said.
He added that the launch reflected Standard Chartered’s commitment to expanding its wealth platform through strategic partnerships and delivering innovative investment solutions to clients.
On his part, Mr Marc Gualandi, Head of Global Banks at Allianz Global Investors, said the fund was designed to give investors exposure to gold’s long-term value proposition while generating income through an active options strategy.
“We believe gold can play an important role as a long-term allocation within a well-diversified portfolio,” Mr Gualandi said.
He said AllianzGI would leverage its expertise in income strategies, portfolio construction and risk management to help investors pursue income and long-term portfolio resilience.
Standard Chartered established its VCC platform in June 2024 to combine the expertise of leading fund managers with its global asset-class specialists and provide clients with access to customised investment strategies.
The latest launch brings the total number of sub-funds on the platform to nine and marks Standard Chartered’s fourth fund launch in 2026.
