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d.light Achieves Record Profits in Q2 2024

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d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, achieved its highest ever quarterly revenue and profits in Q2 2024, the company announced.

Consecutive record-breaking monthly revenue figures in May and June, combined with improved operational efficiencies, led to Q2 2024 being d.light’s first net income profitable quarter in the company’s history since it was founded in 2007. d.light is on course to hit its target of 60 percent year-on-year revenue growth this financial year.

Commenting on the news, d.light CEO Nedjip Tozun said, “We’ve set ourselves ambitious growth targets for this financial year and our record-breaking results in Q2 demonstrate that we’re capable of reaching new heights in the coming months.

“d.light has been EBITDA profitable for several years and we are thrilled to announce our first-ever net income profitable quarter. It’s a true indicator of long-term sustainability for d.light and for the PayGo business model, and is a critical milestone for achieving our goal to transform the lives of one billion people by 2030.”

d.light’s Q2 growth was primarily driven by Sub-Saharan Africa, where it has expanded its presence in recent years supported by securitized receivables financing facilities. Since the beginning of 2020, d.light has set up five securitized finance facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa with a combined total value of USD$718 million – including two in Kenya: one each in Nigeria and Tanzania: and earlier this month a new USD$176 million facility for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

This financing has enabled d.light to expand its operations and make its solar-powered products affordable for more low-income households and rural communities, which has contributed to the increase in sales. India has also been a significant growth market for d.light with over 73 percent growth during the last year.

Tozun continued, “Over the past few years we’ve steadily grown our presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Expansion in Sub-Saharan African countries – including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – has improved the day-to-day lives of millions in these countries who live without access to a reliable electricity supply.

“We’ve championed securitization as a financial tool for growth ever since we established our first facility back in 2020. The financing that we’ve closed since then has enabled d.light to reach more people and maximise our positive impact.”

A recent report (June 2024) by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), found that in 2022 685 million people worldwide lived without electricity access, including 570 million in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, 2.1 billion people globally relied on polluting fuels for cooking, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Population growth combined with the economic slowdown from COVID-19, the global energy crisis, and inflation caused the number of people worldwide without access to electricity to increase for the first time in over a decade, rising by ten million since 2021.

Tozun concluded, “d.light’s exceptional Q2 performance, our strong balance sheet, and the ongoing efforts to scale up our offerings and broaden our reach are testament to the hard work and commitment of our d.light colleagues to deliver positive change.

“We’re very much aware there is more work to do to ensure that people worldwide have access to safe, affordable solar energy. We want to continue supporting underserved communities that lack basic amenities for lighting and cooking, to achieve our ultimate goal of transforming the lives of one billion people by 2030.”

 


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Tomato ‘Ebola’ May Disrupt Nigeria’s Agric Value Chain-  Rewane

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Bismarck Rewane, renowned economist and chief executive officer of the Financial Derivatives Company,  has warned that the recent outbreak of the tomato leaf miner, commonly referred to as “Tomato Ebola,” is a disruption to Nigeria’s agriculture value chain.

Tomato ‘Ebola’ May Disrupt Nigeria’s Agric Value Chain-  Rewane

Bismarck Rewane, CEO, Financial Derivatives Company

Speaking on Channels Television’s Business Morning programme on Thursday, Rewane emphasised that the impact of the outbreak extends far beyond tomatoes, triggering a cost ripple effect across the broader food basket.

“The effect of an increase in the price of tomatoes leads to cost elasticity which means that the price of other substitutes will begin to increase, including the price of carrots, the price of tomato paste, price of tomato puree and other things.

“One  for the reddening, two for the effect and the  thickening on the sauce you’re making.

“However, because tomato is a perishable commodity, it also means that  if there is tomato ebola, then the price has increased, and also the supply has reduced, it has a knock-on effect on so many other things,” Rewane explained.

He added that Nigeria’s lack of food storage and preventive mechanisms has worsened the crisis, causing severe supply chain disruptions.

Rewane’s comments come amid a sharp increase in the price of tomatoes, with a 50-kilogramme basket of the commodity which used to sell for N5,000, now selling for N10,000 to N30,000, thereby compounding food inflation and straining household budget.

The Federal Government said Nigeria has so far lost over N1.3 billion to the outbreak of the invasive pest in key tomato-producing states like Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, explained that the outbreak has significantly disrupted tomato supply chains, causing a surge in prices.

He noted that the outbreak of tomato Ebola highlights the fragile nature of Nigeria’s horticultural systems, and that the invasive pest can destroy tomato crops within 48 hours, resulting in catastrophic yield losses.

He added that this crisis highlights the urgent need for integrated pest management strategies, investment in resilient crop varieties, and enhanced support for farmers to safeguard the country’s food supply chains.

 

 

 

 

 


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Loan Controversy: Court adjourns Otudeko, others’ case to June 11

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Oba Otudeko,
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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned the N12.3 billion loan controversy case involving the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, and three others, to June 11, 2025.

Oba Otudeko,

Oba Otudeko,

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke postponed the case to allow time for either a peaceful settlement or the formal arraignment of the suspects.

The decision followed reports that negotiation are still ongoing between the parties involved for out-of-court settlement as advised by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who is trying to mediate.

During Thursday’s hearing, Otudeko’s lawyer, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), told the court that negotiations for an out-of-court resolution were still in progress.

Similarly, the lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilikisu Buhari, acknowledged the discussions but asked the court to set a new date for arraignment in case the negotiations fail.

It will be recalled that at the last sitting of the court on March 17, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had informed the judge that a meeting involving all counsel had been convened at the instance of the Attorney General of the Federation.

He said that this was aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement of the case.

Olanipekun had also stated that substantial progress was made, and the AGF directed all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the resolution process, including filing further applications.

The court will reconvene on June 11 to hear the outcome of the settlement talks or proceed with the arraignment if no agreement is reached.


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Zamfara, Oracle Partner to Drive Digital Skills Development

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The Zamfara State government has signed an agreement with Oracle to invest in youth development, workforce capacity building and the digital economy under Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative (SDI).

The agreement was signed at Oracle’s Offices in London, United Kingdom, with Governor Dauda Lawal representing the Zamfara State government.

A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, explained that the development will foster collaboration between the Zamfara Information and Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) and Oracle.

Secretary to the State Government, two Special Advisers and the Executive Secretary of ZITDA were also present at the event, along with Siobhan Wilson, Oracle UK Country Leader and Senior Vice President, EMEA.

The statement said, “Zamfara State government has signed a strategic agreement with Oracle to drive digital skills development across the state.

“Facilitated through the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, the collaboration will use the expertise and learning services of both Oracle Academy and Oracle University in their digital transformation efforts.

“The collaboration signifies a commitment to education and a strategic investment in the future of Zamfara’s youth, workforce and digital economy.

“Oracle Academy, Oracle’s global philanthropic educational programme offers a robust portfolio of technology education teaching and learning resources, including curriculum and software access, to educators and students worldwide.

“With the support of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, these resources will be made available to validate higher education institutions across Zamfara.

“ZITDA will help lead efforts to integrate Oracle Academy offerings into Zamfara’s higher education curriculum, equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to guide students in learning hands-on tech skills and toward Oracle’s professional certifications and foster a new generation of tech-savvy leaders.

“In addition, Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative, a global programme that provides access to world-class learning and certification programmes at no cost to eligible learners, will further expand opportunities for learners in Zamfara.

“Through a co-branded Learning Portal in collaboration with ZITDA, Oracle University plans to provide free access to digital learning paths and foundational certifications for eligible participants across Zamfara. This includes curated learning journeys offering over 200 hours of professional-level training in high-demand areas such as Cloud, AI, Data Science and APEX development.”

In his remarks at the ceremony, Governor Dauda Lawal restated that the collaboration with Oracle is part of his administration’s commitment to transforming Zamfara into a hub of innovation, education, and digital excellence.

He said, “on behalf of the government and the good people of Zamfara State, I extend my deepest appreciation to Oracle for believing in our vision and for partnering with us on this transformative journey.

“What we are doing today goes beyond technology, it is about giving hope, creating opportunities and unlocking the future. By investing in digital education and innovation, we are offering real alternatives to poverty, to joblessness and to despair. I sincerely thank Oracle for standing with us, believing in the power of partnership, purpose, and shared dreams.

“Today, we are not just signing a document, we are making a promise, promise that every child in Zamfara will have a fair chance to dream, to learn, and to succeed. A promise that technology will be our bridge to a stronger, more inclusive economy. And, a promise that Zamfara will not merely participate in the digital revolution, we will lead it.”

 


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