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CardinalStone Capital Advisers Invests $6m Investment in AfyA Care

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West African private equity fund manager, CardinalStone Capital Advisers (CCA), has announced a $6 million investment in AfyA Care as part of the company’s Series A capital raise.

AfyA Care is a healthcare group providing integrated healthcare services including hospital care, health insurance and health technology services in Nigeria.

The investment reflects CCA’s strategy of backing high-potential growth businesses with the ability to positively impact communities, and to deliver sustained attractive returns to investors.

The healthcare market in Nigeria is grossly underserved with a patient to bed ratio of 2,000:1 compared to peer average of 1,000:1, and a low health insurance penetration below 5%, according to an EY report.

AfyA Care is positioned to exploit these market opportunities by first consolidating the Lagos market and then expanding to key cities in Nigeria and West Africa over the next five years.

The company will use the funding to improve its experienced talent bench, grow its hospital brands, scale its Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) and proprietary health tech solutions to transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria and beyond.

Commenting on the investment, Femi Ogunjimi, Partner, CardinalStone Capital Advisers, says: “We are always keen to partner with companies that have proven the capacity to disrupt and transform industries.

“Given the significant gaps in healthcare provision in Nigeria as well as sub-Saharan Africa more broadly, it was important to collaborate with people who deeply understand the industry, the urgency and scale of the problem, and are well-equipped to put in the work to deliver the results.

“We look forward to supporting the team at AfyA Care as they seek to build a healthcare ecosystem for diverse segments of the market and are excited to see where AfyA Care goes in five years.”

Founded in 2019, AfyA Care invests in healthcare assets in Nigeria, with a vision to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. Targeting low-mid and mid-high-end hospitals, health insurance and health tech companies, AfyA Care is building vertically integrated healthcare institutions and optimising delivery models that serve its target market segments through the aggregation of hospital capacity and demand.

The company has a portfolio of hospitals with 215 beds under the R-Jolad Hospital brand to serve its low-to-mid market consumers. It is also developing a 140-bed hospital under its proposed Oakwood Medical Centre brand to cater to the mid-high-end market.

Speaking on the new partnership with CCA, Tosin Runsewe, CEO of AfyA Care, says, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with CardinalStone Capital Advisers. CCA has been instrumental, not only in securing the funding to build capacity, but also in lending their expertise to execute the vision for AfyA Care.

“Our plans for expansion are supported by decades of expertise across industries, and we are excited to be working with a firm that supports our vision to transform the future of healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.”

Other brands currently under AfyA Care’s management include health providers like EROM Diagnostics, Octosoft (health-tech) and Bastion HMO (health insurance).

This investment in AfyA Care is the fourth by CCA from its $64 million CCA Growth Fund (CCAGF), which targets growth-stage SMEs in Nigeria and Ghana. Other companies in its portfolio include i-Fitness, Appzone and Quality Foods Africa.

 


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LG WashTower Stands Out as a High-Performance, Space-Saving Laundry Solution

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As global demand grows for sustainable living, energy efficiency, and minimalist design, companies are reshaping their product offerings to stay competitive and meet consumer expectations.

At the forefront of this shift in the home appliance market is LG Electronics with its cutting-edge WashTower – a high-performance, space-saving laundry solution designed for today’s urban households.

Boasting advanced features, large capacities, and innovative technology, the WashTower is more than just a washer-dryer combo – it’s a game changer for those seeking efficiency, smart connectivity, and excellent cleaning performance.

Ideal for compact spaces, the LG WashTower’s slim, vertical design fits seamlessly into small laundry rooms or closets without sacrificing performance. Standing at 1655mm tall and 600mm wide, it offers ample capacity—13kg in the washer and 10kg in the dryer – perfect for large loads like bedding or towels, all while saving valuable floor space.

The 2024 LG WashTower™ is a revolutionary solution that aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s vision for modern, sustainable living,” said Oktae Kim, Product Director, Home Appliance Division, LG Electronics Nigeria. “Its space-saving design and advanced features cater to the unique needs of our customers in the country, setting a new benchmark for laundry care.”

Unlike traditional stacked units with controls in hard-to-reach places, the LG WashTower™ introduces an all-in-one control panel designed to simplify laundry care. With the TurboWash 360, DUAL Inverter Heat Pump™ Dryer, Auto Cleaning Condenser, and LG ThinQ™ connectivity, the WashTower™ enhances functionality and convenience, meeting the demands of modern, fast-paced lifestyles.

Some of its most impressive features include:

Built-in Intelligence Takes Out the Guesswork

When it comes to doing laundry, one out of two consumers default to the Normal Cycle on their washers and dryers because they simply don’t know which to choose.

LG WashTower takes out the guesswork with built-in intelligence that uses sensors to detect fabric texture and load size, and then automatically selects the right wash motions, temperatures, and more for precision fabric care.

And it gets smarter: WashTower will even learn your preferred settings. Simply activate Smart Learner in the LG ThinQ® app, and it will remember your ideal wash temperature, spin speed, or dry level. With Smart Pairing™, the washer can even tell the dryer the right compatible drying cycle, making LG WashTower the ultimate laundry hack.

Help Remove Allergens in Fabrics

LG washers are the industry’s first to be CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The Allergens™ wash cycle goes beyond everyday cleaning, using the gentle power of steam to remove common household allergens in fabrics by more than 95 percent.

In addition, LG TurboSteam™ technology in the dryer helps sanitize and refresh clothes in between washes as well as children’s toys, decorative pillows and more.

Exceptional Cleaning and Drying Performance

With steam function in the washer and heat pump in the dryer, the WashTower effectively sanitizes clothes and removes wrinkles, which is a boon for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

Its durable, never-rust stainless steel drum ensures long-lasting reliability, and the absence of an agitator means it’s gentle on delicate fabrics. The dryer starts to preheat before the end of washing, so drying takes less time. With the Dual Inverter Heat Pump™, an energy-saving way to dry, the dual cylinders allow for faster drying and energy saving.

Laundry Made Better – for You and the Planet

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the LG WashTower includes energy monitoring capabilities, helping consumers save money while helping the planet. ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers use 25 percent less energy and 33 percent less water than traditional models.

Verdict: A Smart, Stylish Choice

The LG WashTower stands as a top contender in the world of washer-dryer combos, offering a perfect blend of technology, performance, and space-saving design. With no drawbacks, the WashTower’s overall functionality, energy efficiency, and convenience make it a strong choice for families and individuals alike.

If you’re looking for a washer-dryer combo that combines smart technology with stylish design, the LG Wash Tower is a reliable, high-performing option.

The LG WashTower™ strengthens LG’s position as a leading innovator in the home appliance sector. With its cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface demonstrates LG’s dedication to shaping the future of home appliances. It’s more than just a product – it’s a testament to LG’s vision of bringing convenience, efficiency, and sustainability into every home.

 

 


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CEO of Trium Limited, Highlights the Future of Capital Markets @2024 ICMA FinTech & Digitalisation Forum

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Adebayo Adewolu, the Chief Executive Officer of Trium Limited, delivered key insights at the 2024 International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) FinTech & Digitalisation Forum, held recently in London.

L-R: Andy Hill, Co-Head of Market Practice and Regulatory Policy, International Capital Market Association (ICMA) (Moderator); Adebayo Adewolu, CEO, Trium Limited; Martin Hillebrand, Professor of Quantitative Methods, XU Exponential University of Applied Sciences; Stephane Malrait, Head of Market Structure and Innovation, Financial Markets, ING; Rowan Varrall, Associate Director, Digital Token Identifier Foundation; Emma Lovett, Credit Lead, Markets Distributed Ledger Technology team, J.P. Morgan, at the 2024 ICMA FinTech & Digitalisation Forum in London.

The event, which has become a prominent platform for industry leaders, explored the transformative role of technology in capital markets, bringing together top minds from across the globe to discuss the future of the industry.

Mr Adewolu participated as a panellist in a session titled “Will the new digital world ever fully replace the legacy market?”, where he was joined by experts from J.P. Morgan, ING, XU Exponential University, and the Digital Token Identifier Foundation.

Moderated by Andy Hill, Co-Head of Market Practice and Regulatory Policy at ICMA, the panel explored key themes such as the digital bond ecosystem, the integration of AI and machine learning, and the ongoing role of regulation in fostering technological innovation.

During the discussion, Adewolu offered a forward-looking view on the coexistence of legacy systems and emerging technologies.

He emphasised the opportunity for emerging markets to leapfrog traditional infrastructures, adopting advanced digital solutions more rapidly.

He stressed the opportunity for economic inclusion and democratisation of access to capital markets leveraging digital channels.

His remarks highlighted how technologies such as tokenisation and AI could potentially reshape capital markets by making them more efficient, transparent, and accessible.

The legacy markets will not disappear overnight, but what we’re seeing is a unique chance for markets, especially in Africa and other emerging regions, to bypass old systems and adopt digital infrastructure faster than more established markets,” Adewolu remarked during the session.

He also stressed the importance of human oversight in a world where automation is increasingly prominent. While AI and machine learning are becoming critical tools in areas such as risk management and trading, Adewolu noted that experienced professionals will continue to play a crucial role in interpreting data and ensuring market integrity.

The forum, which saw participation from leading institutions across the financial sector, also touched on the evolving regulatory environment.

Panellists underscored the need for a balanced approach that allows innovation to flourish while protecting market participants and maintaining investor confidence.

Closing remarks by Georgina Jarratt of ICMA and Emma Lovett of J.P. Morgan echoed the forum’s focus on the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration as the capital markets sector navigates an era of rapid technological change.

The participation of Adebayo Adewolu at the ICMA FinTech & Digitalisation Forum signals Trium Limited’s commitment to staying at the cutting edge of digitisation initiatives in its markets. With the insights gathered from the forum, Trium is well-positioned to continue driving innovation in the sector.


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Tariff Must Increase or ‘MTN Will Shut Down’ – Toriola

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MTN Nigeria, the largest telecom operator in the country, has raised alarms over a potential shutdown if tariffs are not increased to address rising operational costs.

Olatokun Toriola, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MTN Nigeria

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, issued this warning on Monday during a tour of MTN’s facilities by Fellows of the Media Innovation Programme in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

Toriola, who oversees about 78 million subscribers, highlighted that the telecommunications sector is facing severe financial strain, especially from escalating diesel prices required to power base transceiver stations. “There should be no delusion; if the tariff doesn’t go up, we will shut down,” he said, underscoring the urgency of tariff adjustments to reflect current economic realities.

The CEO noted that MTN, which has invested N2.6 billion in corporate social responsibility, according to its 2023 Sustainability Report, is currently operating on profits accumulated over two decades. However, he stressed that this is unsustainable. “We must return the industry to profitability,” Toriola emphasized, adding that the company’s reserves are depleting.

Earlier this year, telecom operators called for the first tariff hike in 11 years, citing the need to manage rising costs and maintain service quality. Without such an increase, they warned, the financial viability of the sector, along with service standards, would continue to decline.

Toriola also pointed out that MTN, once one of Nigeria’s top corporate taxpayers, has seen its tax contributions decline due to the financial challenges. In the first half of 2024, MTN reported a staggering N519.1 billion loss, largely attributed to foreign exchange losses from the naira’s devaluation and high inflation.

In addition, Toriola revealed that MTN may suspend Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking services due to a N250 billion debt owed by Nigerian banks.
“We are seeking regulatory approval to halt support for USSD services used for banking transactions unless the debt is resolved and tariffs are adjusted,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Toriola expressed optimism that the new Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, would step in to help resolve the financial crisis.

He concluded by urging swift action from the government and regulators, stressing the critical role the telecom industry plays in supporting Nigeria’s economy.


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