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E-Financial

IFC Approves Loan to Airtel Africa to Support Mobile Internet Connectivity Expansion Across Africa

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To support universal and affordable broadband access in Africa, and the opportunities that come with increased connectivity, IFC yesterday announced a loan to Airtel Africa to help connect millions of new subscribers to mobile internet in six African countries.

 

IFC will provide six of Airtel Africa’s subsidiaries with local currency loans totaling $194 million. The new financing facility is in line with Airtel’s Africa strategy to increase debt within its operating companies.

According to data from GSMA, less than half of sub-Saharan Africa’s population had access to mobile services at the end of 2021, while only 28 percent of the population had access to mobile internet. GSMA also estimates that by 2025, the value added by mobile technology and services is expected to reach almost $155 billion annually.

The financing facility has a tenor of eight years and will be used to support Airtel Africa’s operations and investments in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Republic of Congo and Zambia, where the banking landscape and access to local funding remains largely underdeveloped.

IFC’s loan is supported by co-financing from institutional investors through IFC’s Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP). IFC’s loan in Zambia is supported by the Local Currency Facility of the International Development Association’s (IDA) Private Sector Window.

“I am very excited to announce the signing of this new facility with IFC. Not only does this facility align with our focus on improving our balance sheet through localising debt within our operating companies, but it also supports our commitment and our ability to meet very strict ESG criteria in demonstration of the continued execution of our sustainability journey.

“I look forward to working closely with IFC in the coming years and to exploring further opportunities to cooperate together to support the economies and communities where we operate,” said Segun Ogunsanya, Airtel Africa CEO.

“The COVID-19 pandemic made mobile connectivity even more urgent for both social and economic development.

“Helping more people connect to affordable and fast internet networks is a priority for IFC in Africa, especially in the continent’s lower-income countries. The partnership with Airtel Africa will help achieve this,” said Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa.

IFC’s digital strategy in Africa aims to enable ubiquitous, reliable, and affordable connectivity.

This includes investing in the growth of independent tower operators, data centers and broadband, as well as supporting mobile operators primarily in fragile and conflict situations (FCS) and Low-income International Development Association countries (LIC-IDA).

As part of IFC’s loan facility, Airtel Africa has committed to comply with the applicable requirements of IFC’s Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability and has put in place a dedicated Environmental and Social Action plan.

This will further strengthen the company’s commitment to transforming lives across the communities in which Airtel operates and will provide clarity on how Airtel can help address inequality and support economic growth across Africa.


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E-Financial

NIA Puts Industry Written Premium @ N1.5trn in 2024

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Nigerian insurance industry has recorded a gross written premium of N1.562 trillion in the 2024 financial year. Mr Kunle Ahmed, Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association, disclosed this during the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in Lagos.

Ahmed said that this represented a 56 per cent increase over the N1.003 trillion generated in 2023.

According to him, the industry’s total assets rose to N3.9 trillion, a 46.1 per cent increase from N2.67 trillion in 2023.

He said: “The Nigerian insurance industry in 2024 experienced notable developments, shaped by regulatory changes, economic conditions, and evolving market dynamics. “Available data indicated robust growth in gross premiums.

The industry reported a gross written premium of N1.562 trillion, a 56 per cent increase over the N1.003 trillion recorded in 2023. “Non-life business accounted for N1.1 trillion, while life business generated N470 billion.

“The industry’s total assets expanded significantly to N3.9 trillion, a 46.1 per cent rise from N2.67 trillion in 2023. “Market capitalisation also grew substantially, reaching N1.2 trillion, a 41 per cent increase from N850 billion in 2022.”

Ahmed further disclosed that the net claims paid by the industry stood at N622 billion, with the non-life segment accounting for N437 billion and the life segment for N185 billion.

He said within the non-life sector, fire, oil and gas insurance lines were key drivers of revenue growth, with all non-life products demonstrating strong quarter-on-quarter increases.


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UN and Sterling One Foundation Lead Coalition Ahead of ASIS 2025

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L–R: Mohamed Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Abubakar Sulieman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, at the recently held Africa Social Impact Summit 2025 World Press Conference at the United Nations House, Abuja.
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Ahead of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025, scheduled for July 10 and 11 in Lagos, co-conveners Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations in Nigeria held a high-level press briefing at the United Nations House in Abuja.

L–R: Mohamed Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Abubakar Sulieman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, at the recently held Africa Social Impact Summit 2025 World Press Conference at the United Nations House, Abuja.

The event brought together development partners, policymakers, and the media to outline expectations for the upcoming summit and reflect on Africa’s role in defining local responses to global challenges.

Since its launch in 2022, ASIS has grown into a key platform for regional development collaboration. From eight founding partners, the summit now brings together over 40 institutions working across climate, healthcare, education, finance, governance, and digital inclusion. This expansion points to a growing shift: African institutions are pushing to set the agenda, not wait to be handed one.

The 2025 summit, themed “Scaling Action for the SDGs: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation,”will focus on strengthening sub-national development, rethinking finance flows, and tackling structural inequalities through long-term investment and reform.

Speaking at the press briefing, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, reinforced the urgency of this year’s convening.

“The climate crisis is eroding decades of development across Africa, displacing communities, disrupting education and health systems, and undermining economic stability. But lasting solutions must come from those living the impact daily.

“As co-conveners of the summit, and with this year’s theme Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation, ASIS offers a platform for African institutions to lead and for global partners to respond with investment, policy reform, and serious commitment.”

In a presentation on the summit’s evolving impact, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, reflected on the summit’s trajectory:

“ASIS has never been about convening for its own sake. Each summit marks a deliberate step to mobilize capital, shift policy, and advance African-led solutions. Already, we have seen over 100 million dollars unlocked through coalition efforts.

“That scale is not accidental. It is the product of systems thinking, partnership, and a commitment to putting Africa’s priorities at the center of global development conversations.”

In his remarks, Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, emphasized the private sector’s enduring role in the ASIS journey: “Sterling Bank has been a strategic partner to ASIS from the very beginning.

“As global development funding becomes more constrained, it is increasingly clear that the private sector must help drive scalable solutions.

“Our engagement with ASIS reflects a belief that impact is not a side effort but core to building resilient economies and inclusive growth.”

Other partners in the room echoed the need for bold, cross-sector investment in areas such as health systems, youth employment, education access, and digital infrastructure.

ASIS boasts a coalition of over 40 institutions that includes Afreximbank, Coca-Cola, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Sterling Bank, and other theme and technical partners, with Lagos State as the host city.

Interested participants are encouraged to register at theimpactsummit.org


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Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List

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Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company,  has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies List of 2025, marking its second appearance on the prestigious global ranking.

Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List

Previously honoured in 2021, Flutterwave joins industry giants such as Amazon, Netflix, and OpenAI in the TITANS category of the fifth-annual list, which recognizes companies driving significant global impact.

The selection process, led by TIME editors, evaluated nominees based on innovation, ambition, impact, and success, highlighting Flutterwave’s transformative role in the fintech sector.

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave has grown into a powerhouse facilitating seamless payments across Africa and beyond, empowering businesses and individuals in the digital economy.

Its solutions span critical sectors such as cross-border remittances, e-commerce, travel, payroll, and hospitality.

The company’s 2021 TIME100 recognition followed its impactful campaign to help businesses pivot online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s inclusion underscores Flutterwave’s sustained influence, with its technology now reaching over 34 African countries and expanding into new markets such as Bahrain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, supporting a leading global ride-hailing company’s operations.

Flutterwave’s flagship remittance product, SendApp by Flutterwave, has gained significant traction in the US, UK, and EU, offering faster and more affordable money transfers for the African diaspora.

In 2024, the company secured 20 additional licenses in the US, bringing its total to 34 and achieving near-complete coverage through strategic partnerships.

Flutterwave’s focus on profitability and market expansion, coupled with a strengthened executive team, has fuelled its growth, with nearly half of its customers receiving payments in new markets last year.

Olugbenga Agboola,  founder and CEO, Flutterwave, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “Being recognized by TIME once again is a true honour. It’s a testament to our team’s incredible work. We’re shaping Africa’s financial future and connecting the continent to the world.”

The accolade follows other recent honours, including topping Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies list for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and earning a second consecutive ranking in the FXC Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies.

The TIME100 listing solidifies Flutterwave’s position as a global fintech leader, bridging Africa to the world through innovative payment solutions.

As the company continues to expand its reach and refine its growth strategy, its influence in transforming the financial landscape remains undeniable, setting a benchmark for innovation and connectivity in the digital economy.


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