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Heritage Bank, Gezawa to Ease Agro Commodity Trading

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Heritage Bank Gezawa

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A partnership aimed to facilitate the ease of agro commodity trading in a more structured way, especially with the closeness to the Dawanu, the largest grain market in Africa, has been signed between Heritage Bank and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange (GCMX).

It is believed that this collaboration will make the Nigerian agricultural sector witness a huge growth and revolutionise agricultural value-chain by providing fully integrated ecosystem for commodity exchange.

As part of the deal, Heritage Bank has been appointed as the Lead Settlement Bank and Transaction Adviser to the exchange.

Recently, over 10,000 farmers in 3000 cooperatives in the 44 local governments of Kano States were hosted at the 2nd GCMX Farmers’ Cooperative Forum.

The MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Mr Ifie Sekibo, who was a panellist at the event, explained that the partnership was targeted to de-risk the sector that would bring about structured and enhanced agro-business and attain food security that leads to economic development.

Mr Sekibo, who was represented by the Executive Director, Jude Monye, explained that the partnership which would help bridge the huge gap associated to risk, will fast track effective price discovery mechanism and traceability and enhanced trade settlement services.

Specifically, the bank’s helmsman stated that under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Heritage Bank would provide on-lending funding to aggregated farmers in the 2020 farming season to grow various products that will serve as raw materials to the processors, thereby ensuring market linkages and access to the market as well as reduce importation and conserve Nigeria’s external reserves.

According to him, with its assigned position  Heritage Bank would play a pivotal role in ensuring that there would be an effective and readily available platform for market linkages among players in the agribusiness value chain, involving FMCGs, warehouse operators, collateral managers, processors, farmers’ cooperatives to transact in a seamless way that guarantee quality, quantity, payment and delivery.

Speaking the event, the ED/CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo affirmed that the initiative would help foster diversification of non-oil export trade.

He, however, stated that NEPC would ensure that the primary for the signing of the MoU would be achieve, whilst calling for the need to ensure adequate and seamless supply of agricultural commodities for the business to be sustainable.

The Gezawa Project Consultant, Binchang Binfa, Managing Director of Makarios Global Resource, disclosed, “the ultimate goal was to unlock the vast potential of agricultural value chain via partnerships and synergy with likeminded enterprises, organisations and institutions that will mutually create wealth, generate local employment and contribute significantly to the economic growth and GDP the nation.”

He stated that the Exchange would provide services on price discovery and transparency, increase foreign exchange earning capacity, commodity storage and warehouse receipt system, employment generation of 15, 000 direct and indirect jobs, investment opportunities, increase in non-oil export, ease of doing business, weather report, soil test report, as well as 24/7 online trading of commodities on alive trading platform.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Banking

AG Mortgage Bank N3.97bn Commercial Paper Closes June 18

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AG Mortgage Bank

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The N3.97 billion commercial paper issuance of AG Mortgage Bank Plc will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The sale of the debt instrument by the real estate lender commenced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

It is under the N5 billion commercial paper issuance programme of the lending firm aimed to support its short-term working capital and funding requirements.

The company is selling the papers in two series, with Series 2 offered at a discounted rate of 19.2895 per cent for 270 days, and Series 3 at a discounted rate of 19.3651 per cent for 364 days.

The minimum subscription is N5 million, and subsequent additions of N1 million.

AG Mortgage Bank is a leading primary mortgage bank in Nigeria with over two decades of experience in providing affordable mortgage financing and housing finance solutions.

The bank has grown its asset base to over N33 billion and remains a key participant in major housing intervention programmes, including the National Housing Fund Scheme and other government-backed mortgage initiatives.

Supported by a diversified product offering, strong institutional credibility, and an experienced management team, AG Mortgage Bank continues to deliver solid financial performance.

For FY 2025, interest income increased by 28.1 per cent to N3.65 billion, while profit after tax rose by 130.0 per cent to N1.05 billion, reflecting strong earnings growth, operational efficiency, and prudent risk management.

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Access Holdings Earnings Capacity Remains Strong—Aig-Imoukhuede

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access holdings Aig-Imoukhuede

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment to shareholders, expressing confidence in the company’s strategic positioning, which he said is underpinned by disciplined execution, a diversified business model, a strengthened capital base, and a clear focus on sustainable value creation.

Speaking at the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the firm on Wednesday, he explained that the temporary suspension of dividend distributions was a consequence of regulatory compliance requirements rather than any deterioration in the group’s financial performance.

Mr Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed that the financial institution’s earnings capacity remains strong and that the board’s position reflects adherence to supervisory expectations and prudent capital management principles.

He assured shareholders of the board’s commitment to resuming dividend payments as soon as the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied, noting that, “Our approach is clear: capital retained today must translate into greater value tomorrow and sustainable returns for our shareholders.”

The Chairman reiterated the strategic imperative underpinning the company’s next phase of growth, saying, “Our strategy, From Scale to Value, reflects the natural evolution of our journey. Scale created opportunity; value creation is how we fully realise it.”

He noted that while the organisation continues to generate strong returns, ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital remains central to unlocking sustainable shareholder value.

The retired banker also acknowledged the significant unrealised value embedded within the firm’s international subsidiaries and reiterated management’s focus on improving market recognition of that intrinsic value over time.

Commenting on the financial performance of the group in 2025, he said Access Holdings accelerated provisions on legacy and regulatory forbearance credit exposures, resulting in elevated impairment charges.

He explained that the group consciously prioritised balance sheet strength and long-term resilience over short-term earnings optimisation.

“Periods of economic uncertainty often reveal more about an institution than periods of uninterrupted growth. Our focus remains on building a business that is not only growing, but improving in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of its earnings,” he stated.

Last year, the financial services organisation delivered pre-tax profit of N1.007 trillion, underscoring the strength of its diversified platform and expanding earnings base across key markets. Total assets increased to N51.56 trillion, while customer deposits grew strongly, reflecting sustained franchise momentum and deepening customer trust.

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HabariPay Unveils ‘HabariPay Impact Report 2025’

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HabariPay Impact Report 2025

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A new report highlighting the transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers has been launched by HabariPay Limited.

The report, known as the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, provides stakeholders with a comprehensive evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact of the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc on the digital payments landscape.

The company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions were also captured in the piece.

The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the organisation’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions.

The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.

It showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.

“As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators.

“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy,” the Managing Director of HabariPay, Ms Eduofon Japhet, said.

“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.

“As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive,” she added.

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