By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A new digital-first remittance solution known as Absa Global Pay has been launched through a partnership between Absa Group and Thunes.

The Absa–Thunes collaboration helps to make international remittances seamless in Africa through intuitive, transparent and cost-effective solutions.

The partnership combines Absa’s trusted Pan-African banking footprint with Thunes’ agile Direct Global Network to deliver an end‑to‑end, real‑time money movement experience.

Absa Global Pay makes sending money across borders faster, simpler and more affordable for millions of customers across Africa.

Absa customers can send funds directly from the Absa Banking App or Connected Banking (Absa Online) with instant settlement to 18 countries, with six countries forming part of the first release (UK, Kenya, India, Malawi, Pakistan and Zimbabwe). Customers can choose from multiple payout methods — bank accounts, mobile wallets or approved cash pick‑up points — with real‑time notifications and full transaction visibility for added confidence and control.

By leveraging Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network and Absa’s scale across key African markets, the solution offers lower fees, clear pricing, competitive FX rates, and greater value, ensuring that more of each transaction reaches the families and businesses that depend on remittances as a financial lifeline.

“At Absa, we are committed to building financial services that are innovative, intuitive and deeply connected to the everyday needs of our customers.

“Remittances remain essential for keeping families supported across borders, and our research shows a significant opportunity to unlock more value in this space. “Together with Thunes, we are delivering a solution that is simpler, faster and more affordable — empowering customers with choice, transparency and meaningful value,” the Managing Executive for Transactional and Deposits at Absa Personal and Private Banking, Mr Nick Nkosi, said.

On his part, the Chief Commercial Officer at Thunes, Mr Simon Nelson, said, “By combining Absa’s deep local insights with Thunes’ expansive Direct Global Network, we are making international money movement seamless and accessible for anyone, anywhere. This launch is an important milestone in our mission to support the growth of the continent by powering intra-Africa money movement and bringing inclusive financial connectivity to communities across the world.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senate has called for a strengthened regulatory framework that positions the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the centre of oversight of the country’s fast-growing fintech sector.

The recommendation was made by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, during a one-day public hearing at the National Assembly complex on Wednesday.

The event focused on the proposed amendment to the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 (SB. 959) and included an investigative session into fraudulent investment platforms, notably the recent Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX) incident.

Mr Abiru, who is a former Group Managing Director of Polaris Bank and Executive Director at First Bank Nigeria, emphasised that fintechs, including mobile money operators, digital lenders, payment platforms, and settlement companies, have become systemically important to Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

While their growth has expanded financial inclusion, existing laws, he said, do not fully address the scale, data sensitivity, and systemic impact of these technology-driven institutions.

“The question has arisen as to whether a new standalone regulatory agency would be preferable for supervising fintechs,” Mr Abiru said.

“However, creating a separate agency would duplicate functions, fragment oversight, and increase bureaucratic costs. It is far more effective to strengthen the BOFIA framework, modernise CBN supervisory powers, and mandate coordination with key agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he added.

The lawmaker proposed that the amendment should explicitly empower the CBN to designate qualifying fintechs as Systemically Important Institutions, establish a national registry for transparency and beneficial ownership disclosure, and strengthen risk-based supervision tailored to technology-driven financial services.

Beyond fintech regulation, the Senate intensified scrutiny on Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment platforms.

Mr Abiru described the rising prevalence of such schemes as a threat to financial stability and public trust, citing the CBEX debacle, which reportedly caused severe financial losses to individuals across Nigeria, including professionals, traders, students, and retirees.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Monday, March 9, 2026, has been fixed by Zenith Bank Plc for its annual International Women’s Day seminar in Lagos.

The event is part of activities lined up to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day, themed Give to Gain.

The theme prepared for Zenith Bank’s programme is Take it, You Own it, and was designed to deepen meaningful engagement around women’s empowerment, leadership, and sustainable impact.

The workshop will include segments focused on leadership insight, professional empowerment, wellbeing, and collaboration, offering attendees opportunities to engage deeply with thought leadership and practical strategies for advancing equity.

With a carefully curated programme spanning keynote addresses, panel conversations, Q and A sessions, and creative interludes, Zenith Bank’s 2026 International Women’s Day Seminar promises to be a catalyst for meaningful action.

“International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress requires intentionality.

Give to Gain speaks to the responsibility institutions have to create real opportunities, while our theme, Take It, You Own It, challenges women to step forward boldly and lead.

“At Zenith Bank, we are deliberate about building environments where women are supported to grow, thrive, and shape outcomes, not only within our institution but across the communities and industries we serve,” the chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, stated.

Over the years, the lender’s International Women’s Day initiatives have brought together women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging talents for dynamic dialogue, inspiration, and shared learning around gender equity, professional growth, and inclusive opportunity.

More than a commemorative gathering, the 2026 seminar is designed as a convergence of influence, insight, and inspiration, bringing together accomplished women and progressive leaders across business, governance, creative industries, technology, and social impact.