General News
How Untrained Pilot Killed 157 on Ethiopian Airways-Report
The captain of a doomed Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed 157 people when the plane crashed shortly after take-off in Ethiopia, did not practise on a new simulator for the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a colleague said.
Yared Getachew, 29, was due for refresher training at the end of March, his colleague told Reuters, two months after Ethiopian Airlines had received one of the first such simulators being distributed.
The March 10 disaster, following another MAX 8 crash in Indonesia in October, has set off one of the biggest inquiries in aviation history, focused on the safety of a new automated system and whether crews understood it properly.
In both cases, the pilots lost control soon after take-off and fought a losing battle to stop their jets plunging down.
The MAX, which came into service two years ago, has a new automated system called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System). It is meant to prevent loss of lift which can cause an aerodynamic stall sending the plane downwards in an uncontrolled way.
“Boeing did not send manuals on MCAS,” the Ethiopian Airlines pilot told Reuters in a hotel lobby, declining to give his name as staff have been told not to speak in public.
“Actually we know more about the MCAS system from the media than from Boeing.”
Under unprecedented scrutiny and with its MAX fleet grounded worldwide, the world’s largest planemaker has said airlines were given guidance on how to respond to the activation of MCAS software. It is also promising a swift update.
Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday its pilots had completed training recommended by Boeing and approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on differences between the previous 737 NG aircraft and the 737 MAX version.
They were also briefed on an emergency directive after the Indonesia crash, which was incorporated into manuals and procedures, it said in a tweet. The 737 MAX simulator was not designed to replicate the MCAS system problems, it added.
“We urge all concerned to refrain from making such uninformed, incorrect, irresponsible and misleading statements during the period of the accident investigation,” it said.
TRAINING QUESTIONS
Globally, most commercial airline pilots refresh training in simulators every six months. In the Ethiopian crash, it was not clear if Yared’s colleague – First Officer Ahmednur Mohammed, 25, who also died in the crash – had used the new simulator.
It was also not clear if Yared or Ahmednur would have been trained on that simulator or an older one for 737s that their airline also owned.
“I think that the differences between the 737 NG and the MAX were underplayed by Boeing,” said John Cox, an aviation safety consultant, former U.S. Airways pilot and former air safety chairman of the U.S. Airline Pilots Association.
“Consequently the simulator manufacturers were not pushing it either. The operators didn’t realize the magnitude of the differences,” he told Reuters in a communication over the Ethiopian pilot’s remarks.
The 737 MAX 8 was introduced into commercial service in 2017, but pilots of older 737s were only required to have computer-based training to switch, according to Boeing, airlines, unions and regulators.
By December, two months after the Lion Air crash that killed 189 people off Jakarta, the main simulator producer CAE Inc of Canada said it had delivered just four MAX simulators to airlines.
At that time, CAE had orders from airlines globally for 30 MAX simulators, which cost between $6 million and $15 million each depending on customization.
The world’s largest 737 operator, Southwest Airlines Co, will not have its first MAX simulator ready for use until October, its pilot union said on Wednesday.
“It is still very disturbing to us that Boeing did not disclose MCAS to the operators and pilots,” the association told members in a memo seen by Reuters.
Additional reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Tracy Rucinski in Chicago; Writing by Jamie Freed and Katharine Houreld; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has announced the launch of the Digital Services Survey in a strategic effort to empower Nigerian digital service providers to expand across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The ministry’s Director Press and Public Relations, Dr. Adebayo Thomas in a statement said the aims of the digital services initiative is to map and support the growth of Nigerian digital services throughout the continent and simplify the process for digital businesses to navigate regulatory environments and expand their reach across African markets.
He added that Nigerian digital businesses often face challenges when entering other African markets, including uncertainties around service registration, applicable regulations, and responsible agencies.
Thomas said: “Unlike physical goods, digital services don not always align with existing trade categories. This framework will serve as a common language, ensuring consistent treatment of digital services across borders” and its benefits include unlocking new markets by identifying target African countries for expansion, as Nigeria can focus trade negotiations on opening specific markets for digital services.”
He added, “The framework would also create a Digital Services Repository and for the first time, Nigeria will compile a comprehensive database of digital service providers, their expansion plans, and the challenges they face.
“Furthermore, the framework would strengthen Nigeria’s digital leadership by positioning the country as a proactive leader in Africa’s digital economy, shaping the rules and standards for digital trade.”
Following the successful deployment of its Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified strategic engagements with key stakeholders to consolidate gains and drive system-wide integration.
In a virtual meeting, the NCS engaged officials of Access Bank to align operational frameworks and deepen collaboration in support of trade facilitation and financial system integration.
The session was led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola.
Also in attendance were the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, and Assistant Comptroller Bukola Omoniyi from the ICT/Modernisation Department.
The engagement focused on enhancing synergy between Customs and the financial sector, particularly in streamlining payment systems, boosting data exchange, and ensuring real-time processing of trade-related transactions through the B’odogwu platform.
DCG Adeola reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to seamless stakeholder integration during the post-deployment consolidation phase.
“The deployment of B’odogwu marks a new era in Customs administration,” she said. “Our next priority is to strengthen partnerships with financial institutions like Access Bank to fully unlock the platform’s potential for automation, transparency, and trade efficiency.”
She noted that B’odogwu, developed as an indigenous solution, has already transformed Customs operations by unifying procedures, automating declarations, and enabling real-time transaction monitoring.
“To achieve optimal functionality, all players within the trade value chain must be fully integrated. This engagement with Access Bank is not just timely. It is strategic,” she added.
Responding, Olatunbosun Oladunke, Head of Global Trade at Access Bank, commended the NCS for its forward-thinking digital transformation and assured the bank’s support.
“The B’odogwu platform represents a major leap in digital trade processing. Access Bank is fully aligned with the NCS vision and is committed to ensuring system compatibility, particularly in trade finance and payment automation,” he said.
Also speaking, Olakunle Aderinokun, Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Holdings/Access Bank, emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and public awareness.
“Public buy-in is critical to the success of any reform. We will collaborate with the Service to drive awareness of B’odogwu and educate stakeholders on the value it brings to the trading ecosystem,” he stated.
The meeting is part of the NCS’s broader strategy to accelerate its trade modernisation agenda through strategic partnerships, transparency and continuous innovation.
With B’odogwu now operational, the NCS is steadily advancing toward a fully digital, integrated and globally compliant Customs system that supports Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
Moniepoint Inc., one of Nigeria’s leading business payments and banking services platforms, announces the launch of MonieWorld; a new remittance and digital financial services solution – specifically to meet the fragmented, underserved needs of the UK’s African diaspora.
L-R Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Moniepoint Inc, Felix Ike and CEO, Moniepoint GB, Ravi Jakhodia
MonieWorld is launched in the UK by Moniepoint Inc.’s UK subsidiary, Moniepoint GB, headquartered in London. It marks the first time Moniepoint has offered services to customers outside of Africa; a landmark step in its journey to provide financial happiness for underserved populations.
The MonieWorld application, available via the App Store and Google Play, allows UK customers to send money to Nigeria seamlessly – making financial transactions easier.
Remittances are a material contributor to Nigeria’s economy. They supplement foreign direct investment, while supporting household consumption and foreign exchange liquidity. Global remittances to Nigeria rose 9% in 2024 to $20.98 billion, with the UK diaspora contributing c. 50% – helping to grow businesses, support families, and drive economic development.
Moniepoint is the leading financial platform for Nigeria’s vast network of SME businesses and their consumers with its integrated suite of services – digital payments, bank accounts, credit, and management tools. Moniepoint processes 1 billion+ transactions monthly, with total payments volume of over $22 billion. It serves ten million businesses and individuals across Nigeria, driving financial inclusion efforts.
MonieWorld makes it easy for the fast-growing Nigerian diaspora in the UK to send remittances quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively. Transactions usually complete in seconds, competitive exchange rates are adjusted through the day, and no transaction fees are charged. Customers can pay for services via various methods: bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and mobile payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Moniepoint’s end-to-end control over the payment process, plus its robust technology infrastructure, guarantees industry-leading reliability for customers – a major competitive advantage for MonieWorld.
Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said: “The launch of MonieWorld is an exciting step on our journey to create financial happiness and support Africa’s entrepreneurial potential. It is a natural addition to our existing suite of solutions and will be hugely valuable for customers. It makes it easy, quick and reliable to send remittances – a critical source of funds for Nigeria’s economy.
“The African diaspora needs a one-stop solution to better meet its financial services needs – and improve on the current fragmented market. I am thrilled Moniepoint is tackling this challenge and can’t wait to announce future additions to the MonieWorld solution. Our expectation is that MonieWorld will enhance financial access for everyone involved, boosting UK-Nigeria bilateral trade and benefiting the global economy.”
Post-launch, MonieWorld will expand to a fully-fledged finance platform purpose-built for the African diaspora, with further solutions added in due course.
The launch of MonieWorld follows significant, sustained growth for Moniepoint, with revenues increasing by over 150% CAGR in recent years.
The Company achieved a milestone Series C funding round in October 2024, backed by Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, and Lightrock. This was followed by an investment from Visa in January 2025.
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