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GBfoods Completes N20 Billion Tomato Processing Factory in Kebbi
GBfoods, a global leader in culinary product manufacturing, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kebbi State Government and the Emirate of Yauri recently built a N20 billion tomato processing factory, in Kebbi State.
The factory is the second largest in Nigeria and the only fully backward integrated plant in ECOWAS – and has the largest single tomatoes farm in Nigeria. When all phases of the project are finished, the factory will be the largest fresh tomatoes processing factory in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The investment, in the world-class factory and adjoining farm, includes a drip irrigation and fertigation infrastructure, greenhouses, seed planting robots, an incubation chambers and a plethora of agricultural machinery. The farm will serve a dual purpose, it will produce industrial tomatoes in the dry season and soya beans in the raining season.
The tomato factory will convert fresh tomatoes into tomato concentrate used for producing Gino Tomatoes Paste and Gino Tomato Pepper Onion Paste while the soya bean will be used to process soya-bean oil which is a critical ingredient for GBfoods’ Bama and Jago Mayonnaise.
The project created over a 1,000 jobs including: 500 farming jobs, 150 factory jobs and 150 construction jobs. GBfoods also engaged many small holder farmers as out-growers.
Apart from training the out-growers on good agricultural practices, GBfoods provided them with tomatoes seedlings, agrochemicals and various equipment such as water pumps and hose pipes, enabling the farmers access to water in the dry season. GBfoods also supported the host communities by providing and maintaining 16 boreholes of drinking water, a first for some of the surrounding villages.
The factory is fully backwardly integrated to the company’s farm and dedicated out-growers. In the coming tomatoes season, the plant will also source most of its raw material from out-growers who will grow the tomatoes on their own farms and from GBfoods’ owned and operated farm. The factory is engaging over 5,000 small holder farmers as out-growers, in the coming tomatoes season, to grow fresh tomatoes.
Mr. Vicenç Bosch, CEO of GBfoods Africa, commended the Federal Government for encouraging and supporting GBfoods to engage with CBN, Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the successful completion of the factory.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investments, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Kebbi State Government and the Ngaski Local Government Authorities for their tremendous support towards the actualization of the project.
Mr. Bosch added our team of extension workers, consultants and agronomists are ensuring that the Nigerian farmers benefit from the technology transfer of our best practices and know-how built through over 40 years of successful tomato operations in Italy and Spain.
Speaking during opening of the factory, Mr Vincent Egbe, the Country Manager, GBfoods Nigeria said, “The commissioning of this processing factory is a great milestone for us.
It further demonstrates the company’s commitment towards helping Nigeria achieve its food security ambitions, in this case, of self-sufficiency in tomato concentrate production. We will continue to work with the Federal Government towards food security and local production and processing of fresh tomatoes.
“The company is dedicated to reducing pre and post-harvest losses, and also developing the value chain so as to improve revenue streams for tomato farmers.
Over the past three years, in the three states of Kaduna, Katsina and Kebbi, GBfoods has worked with smallholder out-growers to boost their incomes by providing seedlings, fertilizers, training, and irrigation pumps, further to reduce post-harvest losses GBfoods also provided free plastic crates to farmers.”
“GBfoods is working with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the CBN to make Nigeria not only a shining example in food security, but also to become the food basket of Africa.
He especially thanked the Buhari administration, the Kebbi Governor, His Excellency Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele; and the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi for working tirelessly to create an enabling investment environment for GBfoods backwards integration project in tomatoes,” comments Mr Vincent Egbe, the Country Manager, GBfoods Nigeria.
Additional land is expected in September 2020 to be cleared and prepared for the farming season of October 2021. This expansion will be similarly accompanied by an upgrade in the factory’s capacity. With the expansion, new jobs will also be created.
GBfoods has a wide range of quality well-established brands in Nigeria such as Gino, Bama and Jago, under which they manufacture a wide range of quality products that make the daily lives of many African families easier.
Products under their brands include Gino Tomatoes Mix; Gino Pepper Onion, Gino Thyme; Gino Curry; Gino Chicken and Beef Cubes; Bama Mayonnaise as well as Jago Mayonnaise. GBfoods investments aim to satisfy local culinary habits and preferences whilst offering the healthiest and best ingredients for the Nigerian cuisine.
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Here are Six Ways You Should Use MoMo PSB for Seamless Transactions
In today’s fast-paced digital world, Mobile Money (MoMo) services have become essential for managing financial transactions conveniently and securely. MTN’s MoMo service offers a plethora of features that can enhance your financial management.
Here are six effective ways to utilise MoMo PSB (Payment Service Bank) to streamline your financial activities.
Cash Deposits and withdrawals
One of the key functions of MoMo PSB is for cash deposits and withdrawals. Users can easily deposit cash into their MoMo Wallets through authorised ATM or POS agents that support the service.
This feature allows you to manage your cash flow efficiently without needing a traditional bank account. To withdraw cash, simply visit a nearby MoMo agent, provide your wallet number, and receive your funds immediately.
Business Transactions
MoMo PSB recently announced their partnership with Vendy LTD, a marketplace on WhatsApp for business owners to get closer to their customers on their favourite apps.
Interested buyers browse inventory, place orders, get invoiced automatically and pay directly on WhatsApp using the MoMo PSB in app payment. You can now say bye to taking screenshots of payment receipts and say hello to a swift payment method.
Bill Payment
With MoMo PSB, paying bills has never been easier. You can settle utility bills, school fees, and other recurring payments directly from your mobile device using USSD codes or the MoMo app. It eliminates the need for physical visits to payment centres and helps you avoid late payment penalties by ensuring timely transactions.
Airtime Purchases
Another convenient feature of MoMo PSB is the ability to purchase airtime directly from your wallet. Whether you need to recharge your phone or buy data bundles, you can do so quickly without needing cash or credit cards. Simply select the amount you wish to purchase and confirm the transaction using your MoMo PIN.
Peer-to-Peer Transfers
Transferring money between friends and family is seamless with MoMo PSB. You can send money instantly to anyone with a MoMo wallet by entering their phone number and the desired amount.
This feature is particularly useful for splitting bills or sending money to loved ones in need without incurring high transfer fees associated with traditional banking methods.
Linking your Wallet to Other Financial Services
To maximise the benefits of using MoMo PSB, consider linking your wallet to other financial services such as savings accounts or Investment platforms. This integration allows for easy fund transfer between accounts and provides better control over your finances by consolidating all transactions in one place.
By leveraging these five functionalities of MoMo PSB, users can enjoy greater convenience in managing their finances while benefiting from the security that comes with mobile money services.
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QNET and Transblue Limited Announce Second Product Expo in Lagos
Global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling company QNET, in collaboration with its Nigerian partner Transblue Limited, is set to host its second product expo in Lagos.
The two-day event, scheduled for November 16-17, 2024, at the Anchor Events Place in Ikeja, will highlight QNET’s dedication to enhancing lives through innovative products while providing an interactive platform for partners, independent representatives, government officials, and regulatory authorities to explore QNET’s offerings and business model.
The expo will feature a variety of health and wellness products that demonstrate QNET’s commitment to quality and innovation, including the EDG3 Plus supplement for vitality, the Amezcua e-Guard X for energy balance, Chi-Pendant 4 that provides protection against radiation, Bio-Disc 3 that breaks down water chemicals for easy absorption and ProSpark Toothpaste, which combines effective oral hygiene with unique health benefits. With the global wellness market now valued at over $1.5 trillion.
QNET aims to be at the forefront of providing products that meet the growing consumer demand for holistic health solutions.
“Our first product expo in Abuja and Lagos last year was a huge success, and we are excited to bring it back to Nigeria,” said Biram Fall, Regional General Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This event allows us to showcase our health, wellness, and lifestyle products, demonstrating our commitment to helping people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
Akeem Ajisafe, CEO of Transblue Limited, echoed the event’s importance, stating, “Our goal is to empower individuals with knowledge and opportunities for financial independence.
“This expo is a chance to demonstrate how our products positively impact lives while highlighting the potential for entrepreneurship in the direct-selling industry.”
The QNET Product Expo in Lagos promises an engaging experience for all attendees, offering direct interaction with products and a deeper understanding of QNET’s values and ethical approach to wellness and lifestyle solutions.
For more information on QNET and its product range, please visit www.qnet.net.
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Nedjip Tozun, CEO d.light Named in 2024 TIME100 Climate List for Transformative Impact on Clean Energy Access
Nedjip Tozun, Co-founder and CEO at d.light, has been named one of the world’s most influential leaders driving business to real climate action in the 2024 TIME100 Climate list.
TIME’s annual climate list recognizes the world’s most innovative and impactful business leaders championing climate action and working toward a sustainable future. This honor celebrates Tozun’s visionary leadership and commitment to transforming energy access for underserved communities across Africa and Asia.
Since co-founding d.light in 2007 at Stanford University, Tozun has led the company’s mission to empower lives through sustainable, affordable, off-grid clean energy solutions. Under his leadership, d.light has reached over 180 million people, providing transformative products such as solar home systems, lanterns, and appliances, and connecting households and businesses to life-enhancing solar energy.
With a growing footprint across some of the world’s most energy-challenged regions, d.light’s innovative pay-as-you-go platform, Atlas, enables over 6 million transactions monthly, making clean energy accessible and affordable for millions.
“We are honored to see Nedjip’s dedication recognized by TIME as part of this esteemed Climate list,” said Wayne Keast, d.light board member and Managing Partner of Inspired Evolution. “His passion for bringing clean energy to the most remote communities is reshaping the future of energy, health, and opportunity in regions where the climate crisis hits hardest.”
As a pioneer in clean, off-grid energy solutions, Tozun has not only driven unprecedented growth for d.light but has also challenged and changed the industry landscape.
His work has made d.light a trusted partner in the global climate effort, positioning the company as a model for sustainable development and scalable solutions in emerging markets.
With a goal of impacting 1 billion people by 2030, d.light continues to scale operations and forge partnerships to meet growing demand while addressing critical climate issues head-on.
“I’m truly grateful to be recognized by TIME for our work in advancing clean energy access”, said Tozun. “This acknowledgment underscores the urgent need to prioritize equitable access to clean energy as we tackle climate change.
d.light’s work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to energy, and I am proud of what we have achieved together with our team, partners, and the communities we serve.”
Tozun’s inclusion in the TIME100 Climate list highlights the impact of d.light’s work across Africa and elsewhere. It follows d.light’s recent recognition as a finalist in the 2024 Earthshot Prize, the international environmental award founded by the UK’s Prince William that recognises groundbreaking sustainable solutions for repairing and regenerating the planet.
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