Interswitch Launches Multi-Currency Credit Card

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian government has expressed a fresh commitment to the harmonisation of the country’s data through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said that his Ministry was committed to the success of the project, assuring that the days for multiple ID registration would soon be over. Mr Tunji-Ojo, while hosting the MTN management team led by its chief executive, Mr Karl Toriola, earlier this week in Abuja, disclosed that NIMC has been mandated to harmonise the country’s database as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeks to

By Adedapo Adesanya The federal government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has opened applications for a tech startup accelerator fellowship program to empower Nigerians with innovative ideas. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, said the preparations for the training commenced in August with a meeting of stakeholders in tech to co-create innovative ways to achieve the target. He added that the meeting was the first in a series of ecosystem engagements to ensure that the government gets the best solutions from within. The new initiative from the NITDA is part of the

The pinnacle of technological innovation and thought leadership, Art of Technology Lagos (AOT), returns for its fifth edition, AOT 5.0. With an unwavering commitment to progress, this year’s conference dives into two crucial pillars that are shaping Lagos’s future: “The Creative Economy” and “A Digital Lagos.“ Curated by the Eko Innovation Centre in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, AOT 5.0 promises to be an unparalleled gathering of visionaries, industry leaders, and changemakers. Lagos’s creative economy sector is a dynamic force that fuels the state’s economic growth, encompassing diverse industries such as film, music, fashion, design, and advertising. This ecosystem

By Adedapo Adesanya Data and AI technology company, Flapmax, has announced 12 startups selected for the second cohort of the FAST Accelerator startup programme, created in partnership with Microsoft to help strengthen and scale Africa’s digital ecosystem. Following the conclusion of its 2-week Online Bootcamp, which saw 60+ tech companies participate in intensive online training with experienced mentors, FAST Accelerator’s cohort of 12 startups will progress to a 5-week comprehensive acceleration experience in Silicon Valley, California, starting in October. Speaking on this, Mrs Mame-Fatou Gueye, SME Program Manager, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, said, “Microsoft believes that African startups and small

By Dipo Olowookere A partnership has been entered into between the Kigali Global Shapers and the National Aviation Services (NAS). The deal is to enable NAS to exclusively sponsor #VisaFreeAfrica (VFA), a global campaign to facilitate mobility in Africa. NAS is the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets. The #VisaFreeAfrica campaign, launched by the Kigali Global Shapers during the World Economic Forum for Africa in 2016 includes a global petition that calls for all 54 African countries to grant a 30-day visa on arrival to all African citizens by 2022, and achieve free movement of people across

By Modupe Gbadeyanka An Indonesian firm called PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of PT Intim Perkasa, has revealed its intention to build a modular refinery in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The proposed refinery, according to PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, will produce 10,000 barrels per stream day. During a business meeting recently with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Maikanti Baru, the Head of Investor Relations of PTPP (Persero) Tbk, partners to PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, Mr Adi Hartadi, stated that the firm has over 50 years of experience in construction

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh At the 12th Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification and the Extraordinary Session held in Niamey in late November, the African Export-Import Bank offered an instrumental report about the pace of economic diversification and industrialization across Africa. It was one among several review reports dealing with the present and the future of Africa. In the first place, the African bank offers strong financial support, engages in external fundraising campaigns and collaborates with the African Union and the AU members. Beyond that, the bank gives advisory services relating to the development of various economic sectors, all

By Dipo Olowookere The management of Fidelity Bank Plc says it is considering instituting a legal action against some of its former employees, who staged protests at its branches in Ikeja last week and in Victoria Island, Lagos this week. In a statement made available to Business Post on Thursday, lender expressed dismay at the actions of the demonstrators, which it described as harassment. Fidelity Bank said in the statement signed its Divisional Head, Brand & Communications, Mr Charles Aigbe, that, “The actions, aimed at preventing innocent customers from carrying out their banking transactions, are the handiwork of a few

By Ahmed Rahma An opportunity will soon open for start-ups in Nigeria to overcome the issue of funding, which has not made it possible for them to expand and break new grounds. A company is coming up with a reality television show for those in the sector and a whopping $1.7 million will be given to two winning firms to share. The programme, Incubator Reality, according to the organisers, will change the narrative through a novelty incubation program that will increase their capacity and access to funding. The brain behind the show, ECSCORP, said in a statement that this programme

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) on Monday, August 16, 2021, after years of back-and-forth movement, an Act which provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry and development of host communities, my recent ‘sojourn’ in the creeks of Niger Delta region, South-South geo-political zone, Nigeria, in the past one month or thereabout has strengthened my belief that nothing has changed. Aside from raising consciousness that the poor level of infrastructural and socio-economic development in the region is an indication of sustained poor management

By Adedapo Adesanya When you think of exceptional Nigerian fashion entrepreneurs, Ugonna Bryant Iriele has to cross your mind. His creativity has manifested itself in the design and execution of his luxury fashion brand Lykos Gonna which is becoming the toast of Los Angeles. The designer comes from a family of means and is parented by Dr Clifford Ifeanyi Iriele from Awo Idmeili, and Chinelo Virginia Iriele, (Iloanya) Eziawa both from the eastern region of Nigeria. The designer has been able to make a name for himself in the highly competitive world of streetwear and high fashion. Ugonna Bryant Irele

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The announcement today by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigeria has officially exited recession has gladdened the Presidency. A statement issued today by Mr Laolu Akande, spokesperson to Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, said the Buhari administration welcomes news with cautious optimism. Mr Akande promised that the present administration will continue to drive Nigeria’s economic growth by vigorously implementing the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP) launched earlier this year by President Muhammadu Buhari. He further said the overall economic plan and direction of the administration has resulted, among others, in sustained restoration of oil