Banking
Ecobank Gets $250m Bridge-to-Bond Loan from Afreximbank

By Adedapo Adesanya
Ecobank has signed a $250 million senior unsecured bridge-to-bond loan with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed to support trade finance and the general corporate purposes of the group.
It is expected to benefit the lender’s operations in 35 sub-Saharan African countries, as well as France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and China, where its pan-African platform provides a single gateway for payments, cash management, trade, and investments.
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) acted as global coordinator and initial mandated lead arranger of the facility and Mashreqbank psc. joined the transaction as a mandated lead arranger.
The facility has a tenor of twelve months, with a six-month extension option at the lenders’ discretion.
The bridge-to-bond loan also comprises an accordion feature that enables an increase in the total commitments under this facility within a given timeframe.
Speaking on the deal, Mr Ayo Adepoju, Ecobank’s Group CFO, commented, that the facility will serve as an additional buffer for the lender amid current market realities, which he noted are challenging.
“We are very excited about this new facility, which provides additional liquidity buffers for the bank. The firm’s continued ability to demonstrate market support and, in particular, diversify its funding sources under challenging economic conditions reflects credibility that has been purposefully built in the market and across the African continent over many years.”
He commended the commitment of the teams that worked on the facility and recognised the continued efforts to build strong partnerships, as well as the leadership provided by the Lead Arrangers.
Business Post recalls that in 2017, Ecobank secured a five-year senior unsecured loan of $250 million from Deutsche Bank AG, a German global banking and financial services company.
Banking
Fidelity Bank GAIM 6 Promo Produces 20 Additional Millionaires

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
No fewer than 20 fresh millionaires have emerged in the Fidelity Bank Plc Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo.
They winners were picked at the second and third monthly draws of the financial institution held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.
The events were monitored by the representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, including the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Mrs Aboluwade Margaret; and the Principal Legal Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu.
A statement from the lender disclosed that the 20 lucky winners were randomly selected through an electronic draw across Lagos, North, Abuja, South-West, South-South, and South-East zones and would be rewarded with N1 million each.
The Fidelity Bank GAIM campaign was launched in November 2024 and about N19.75 million has been won by 869 customers across different categories.
The GAIM 6 campaign, which will run until August 2025, is set to reward lucky customers with a total of N159 million.
Speaking at the draws, the promo Chairperson and Executive Director for Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank, Dr Ken Opara, noted that the GAIM 6 promo was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, encourage a savings culture, and promote financial inclusion across the country.
Dr Opara, represented by the Regional Bank Head for Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, said, “Fidelity Bank is dedicated to the financial well-being of our customers and this commitment inspired the launch of the GAIM Promo, designed to cultivate a strong culture of savings.
“Through this promo, customers have the chance to win substantial cash prizes up to N10 million by saving and transacting with their Fidelity Bank Savings accounts.
“In addition to the monetary rewards, winners will receive complimentary financial advisory services to secure and grow their wealth for the future.”
Fidelity Bank, ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
Banking
Rand Merchant Bank Adopts Kachasi to Strengthen Trade Finance Operations

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its commitment to deliver quality service to customers, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has finally embraced the trade finance software of Union Systems Limited (USL), Kachasi.
The lender said its migration from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to USL’s Kachasi is a testament to the strength, reliability and competitiveness of this homegrown solution.
Kachasi is Nigeria’s leading indigenous trade finance software built to empower banks with seamless automation, regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The platform has consistently proven to be a game-changer in the trade finance sector, offering key features such as full compliance with statutory and local regulatory requirements, end-to-end automation of trade finance processes, compliance with international trade regulations, advanced risk management and reporting tools, as well as seamless integration with core banking, local portals and third-party systems.
RMB said its decision to integrate Kachasi into its operations reinforces the platform’s reputation as a trusted trade finance solution.
As international trade becomes more complex, financial institutions require cutting-edge technology to navigate regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure operational excellence.
“This win affirms our commitment to revolutionizing trade finance automation across Africa. As more financial institutions embrace Kachasi, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the banking sector,” the financial institution stated.
Also, the chief executive of USL, Mr Chuks Onyebuchi, said, “This partnership with Rand Merchant Bank marks a defining moment, not just for Union Systems Limited but for African-built fintech solutions on the global stage.
“The successful transition from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to Kachasi proves that our homegrown technology is not only competitive but also better suited to the evolving needs of banks and trade finance institutions.
“Kachasi’s seamless automation, deep integration capabilities, and understanding of the local and international trade landscape make it the ideal choice for financial institutions looking to drive efficiency and innovation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building world-class technology, and we are excited to support RMB in revolutionizing their trade finance operations.”
Banking
TAJBank to Raise N20bn Mudarabah Sukuk to Fuel Business Expansion

By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian non-interest bank, TAJBank, is finalising arrangements to raise the sum of N20 billion Mudarabah Sukuk to beef up its additional tier 1 capital with the aim of fueling its business expansion drive in the country.
The issuance is part of its larger N100 billion Sukuk programme.
The new investment initiative, which is coming two years after the issuance of the first-ever N10 billion Sukuk on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in 2023, presents a unique opportunity for individuals and institutions to invest in an ethical instrument with a competitive 20.5 per cent per annum return.
The Mudarabah Sukuk, which is open to all investors, is designed to offer a stable and ethical investment option, allowing investors to participate in the bank’s profit-sharing ventures.
According to a statement, the the move underscores its commitment to expand access to innovative financial solutions and promoting financial inclusion in the country.
The Mudarabah Sukuk issuance terms and conditions are undergoing final regulatory assessment and approval processes.
The chief executive of TAJBank, Mr Hamid Joda, said, “We are excited to bring this Mudarabah Sukuk to the market, offering a compelling investment opportunity that aligns with ethical financial principles.”
“This listing on the NGX will enable a wider range of investors to participate in our growth and benefit from our profit-sharing model”, the banker added.
Mr Joda had, at the beating of the gong during the listing of the TAJBank’s maiden N10 billion Sukuk bond on the NGX in February 2023, assured investors that the bank’s board and management would ensure good returns on their investments.
Business Post reports that the bond was over-subscribed by over 115 per cent.
“As TAJBank gets the NGX’s endorsement today on its fund raising for operations, I want to assure all investors in the maiden Sukuk bond offer by our bank that the board and management will surpass their expectations in terms of return on their investment and other benefits,” he said.
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