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Interswitch Announces Appointment of Kenneth Olisa OBE as Chairman

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Interswitch, the leading Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company, has announced the appointment of Kenneth Olisa OBE, FRSA, FBCS, as its new Chairman, succeeding Adedotun Sulaiman, MFR.

 

This appointment follows the recent minority investment by TA Associates in Interswitch in March of this year, a landmark transaction being TA’s first ever investment into the African continent.

 

Helios Investment Partners, which invested in the company in 2011, is majority shareholder of the company.

 

Kenneth Olisa is a British businessman with a career in technology that commenced at IBM and spans well over 40 years.

 

He founded and led the technology merchant bank Interregnum and is also the founder and chairman of Restoration Partners, an independent boutique technology merchant bank, reputed as architects of the Virtual Technology Cluster model.

 

He is currently a Director of Thomson Reuters.  In 2015, he became the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London having been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

 

 

Mitchell Elegbe, founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, stated that, “Ken’s inspiring business leadership, vast experience and professional expertise will be great assets to Interswitch as he comes on board as Chairman at a defining phase in our journey of transformation and international expansion.

 

“We are delighted to welcome him on board, in succession to the visionary and highly successful tenure of Adedotun Sulaiman, who as country CEO of Accenture, played a key role in the formative years of our company and upon assuming the role of Chairman, oversaw the successful transition of Interswitch to private equity ownership”.

 

Kenneth Olisa commented that, “Interswitch is a shining example of financial technology entrepreneurialism at its best.

 

“Unlike many of its global competitors, Interswitch is not only a fast growing and powerful innovator, it is also profitable.

 

“This is a testament to the skill and drive of its founder – Mitch Elegbe – and I am delighted to be joining him and his team.

 

“As the son of a Nigerian father I am particularly honoured to have been elected to fill the shoes of my distinguished predecessor – Mr Sulaiman – whose steady hand has helped steer Interswitch’s journey so far.  They are big shoes to fill.”

 

About Kenneth Olisa

 

A native of Nottingham, England, with Nigerian roots, Kenneth’s technology career, spanning well over 40 years, commenced in the 1970s at IBM having won a scholarship from the firm whilst being an undergraduate at Cambridge University.

 

He held various posts at IBM before joining Wang Laboratories in 1981.  Following a period as Marketing Director for Europe, VP of US Marketing and then of Worldwide Marketing based in Boston, he was appointed Senior VP and General Manager of Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME) located in Brussels, leading the team which restored the EAME operation to profitability.

 

Kenneth then founded Interregnum, the technology merchant bank, leading it through its early growth; its entry into, and exit from a joint venture with BDO Stoy Hayward as well as the AIM IPO in 2000.

 

At Interregnum, he worked at the forefront of the entrepreneur/technology growth cycle that began in the mid-1990s. As well as serving on the boards of many of Interregnum’s investments and advisory clients, Ken notched up some interesting firsts, including chairing the UK’s first publicly listed Internet Service Provider (ISP), Voss Net, on its admission to AIM and holding a similar position on the board of DMATEK, the first Israeli technology company to be listed on the junior exchange. He retired from Interregnum in 2006 and now runs Restoration Partners.

 

Ken was the first British-born black man to serve on the Board of a major UK public company (Reuters) and remains a Director of Thomson Reuters (where he is a member of the Audit Committee).

 

He was also a Director (and Chair of the Remuneration Committee) of Canada’s largest independent software developer, Open Text Corporation. More recently, he served as a Non-Executive Director of FTSE100 company, Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), as it made its debut on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Today he serves on the Board of, or is an adviser to, several privately held and innovative companies including the UK’s leading corporate governance advisor, Independent Audit. He is committed to social inclusion and has served on the Boards of various charities.

 

Today he is Chairman of Shaw Trust a national employment and well-being charity with a turnover of £100+m.  In 2010, he was awarded an OBE for his services to the homeless of London and he is an honorary Fellow of his old college, Fitzwilliam, Cambridge.

 

On a more personal level, he describes himself as a keen skier and bad golfer. As a former IBM scholar at Cambridge, and reflecting a lifelong passion for information technology and education, Ken, and his wife Julia, donated money to build the new Library and IT centre at Fitzwilliam College.

 


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Jumia Nigeria kicks off Tech Week 2024

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Jumia, the leading pan-African e-commerce platform, has commenced its annual ‘Tech Week’ campaign, offering exciting deals and the latest gadgets to help Nigerians elevate their tech experience.

This year’s theme “Upgrade Your Experience” focuses on empowering consumers to embrace the transformative power of technology. The campaign running from March 18th to March 31st, 2024, provides millions of consumers with the opportunity to snag amazing deals on a wide range of tech essentials, from cutting-edge smartphones and laptops to top-of-the-line home appliances and entertainment systems. Partnering with top brands like Infinix, Tecno, Xiaomi, Oraimo, Binatone, Haier Thermocool, Sun King and Itel, Jumia ensures a diverse selection of high-quality products across different categories.

“We’re thrilled to present Jumia Tech Week 2024, a platform to bridge the digital gap and empower Nigerians with the latest technology. With the continuous rise in smartphone adoption and internet penetration in the country, the demand for accessible tech is stronger than ever. Through strategic partnerships with top international and local brands, we aim to make tech upgrades a reality for all. During this campaign, consumers will have access to a wide range of high-quality tech products at the best prices,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.

Commenting on the partnership with Jumia for Tech Week, Oluwayemisi Ode, Integrated Marketing Communications & PR Manager, Infinix Nigeria, said “Infinix is thrilled to once again partner with Jumia for Tech Week 2024. Our partnership with Jumia exemplifies our commitment to providing customers with access to cutting-edge smart mobile devices at best value.

“Jumia’s reach as Africa’s leading e-commerce platform provides the perfect platform to showcase Infinix’s cutting-edge smartphones, and accessories to a wider audience. This year, we’re particularly excited to offer Tech Week shoppers exclusive deals on our latest devices, making it the perfect opportunity for consumers to upgrade at the best prices.

With over 103 million internet users reported at the start of 2024, Nigeria continues to witness a surge in internet penetration, exceeding 45%. Smartphone adoption is also on the rise, highlighting the growing appetite for technology amongst Nigerians. Jumia Tech Week caters to this evolving landscape, providing a platform for seamless access to the latest tech essentials.

Beyond just amazing deals, Jumia Tech Week offers exclusive flash sales with further discounts on select products, exciting giveaways and contests throughout the campaign, as well as a seamless online shopping experience with secure payment and pay-on-delivery option.


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NBC Approves First Children’s TV in Nigeria

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National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has granted a license to Idowu Sowunmi,  former editorial member of ThisDay Newspapers, to operate Nigeria’s first-ever children’s television station.

NBC Approves First Children’s TV in Nigeria

The new station, which will be sited in Lagos State, is expected to cater specifically to the entertainment and educational needs of the country’s population of young citizens. Programming will include a range of locally-produced and international content, including cartoons, educational shows, and live-action series.

Sowunmi said his company, Three Tees Entertainment Limited, was committed to providing high-quality, age-appropriate content that promotes learning, creativity and positive values.

The launch of the station will mark a milestone in Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape, and is expected to have impacts on the lives of children across the country.

Speaking further, Sowunmi, who is the company’s chairman said: “We are honoured to pioneer this initiative. We are dedicated to creating a platform that inspires, educates, and entertains Nigeria’s future leaders. We’re also coming up with the first children’s radio as soon as we secure the necessary approval.

“Available demographic records indicate that children aged 0 to 14 years account for more than 44 percent of Nigeria’s total population, that’s about 100 million. Our focus is to give this huge population a voice, a veritable platform to express themselves, and make meaningful contributions towards overall societal development.”

 


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The AMVCA Creates Positive Impacts on Brand Image, Says Sponsors

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The much-anticipated announcement for the milestone edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the MultiChoice Studios, Ilupeju.

AMVCA

The event highlighted the positive impact of the awards show over the years and marked the announcement of new developments to the upcoming 10th edition.

The African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has become the standard for recognising excellence in the African film industry. Through the years, the AMVCAs has invested N9 billion in award events, training and logistics, and created over 27,000 long and short-term jobs. The awards have also honoured over 300 African film and TV industry professionals in front and behind the camera.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has a track record of successful collaborations with both new and existing sponsors, which have proven to be mutually beneficial. One of the most loved malt drink brands, Amstel Malta, is once again the headline sponsor of the awards ceremony, while Pepsi is also returning as a sponsor.

“In partnership with our sponsors, Amstel, Pepsi, Promasidor, and Martell, we call on Africa to join in this celebration, as we begin with the announcement of final nominees in each category, live across all Africa Magic channels, on March 24 at 8 pm.

“The voting portal will open immediately after the announcement,” Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said.

Francis Obiajulu, the Senior Brand Manager at Amstel Malta, explained that their headline sponsorship has continued for nine years due to the significant and noticeable positive impact the sponsorship has had on the brand image, brand health, and equity growth.

Segun Ogunleye, the General Manager of Marketing for Seven-Up Bottling Company, reiterated AMVCA’s impact on connecting brands with consumers on a deeper level. Ogunleye explained that in a market where everyone is offering the same thing, the only thing that can set you apart is having an emotional connection with your audience.

Other sponsors of the 10th AMVCAs include TECNO, Verve, QuickTeller, Tiger Beer, MTN, and Indomie. The AMVCA 10th edition will run for two days, starting on May 10 with the Young Filmmakers and Content Creators event in the morning, followed by the Cultural Day and Opening Night celebration in the evening. The Main Awards Ceremony unfolds on the night of May 11, 2024.


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