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E-Financial

Lack of Enlightenment Still Limit Blockchain Technology – Ozinegbe

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As VaultBridge Global gears up to organize its maiden edition of a public enlightenment workshop on Blockchain Technology, organisers have expressed worry over the pace of adoption, attributing it to the low level of enlightenment.

According to the organisers, this event is a public enlightenment venture and a process to further engage on education, training and advocacy in order to bridge the gap of knowledge deficit of Cyber Security and Blockchain Technology.

It is also to further unravel the benefits that government, commerce and industry stands to derive from the introduction, adoption and application of the Blockchain Technology.

Speaking on the coming event, Executive Director of VaultBridge Global, Mr. Harrison Ozinegbe noted that from recent surveys, it has been observed that even the average elite in Nigeria do not have proper and adequate knowledge about this innovative technology called Blockchain.

“Both the Public and Private sector economies have a lot to benefit from the Blockchain Technology.

“Unfortunately, operators of the economy are either ignorant or are afraid to venture into an uncharted terrain, just as people trod the path of caution at the introduction of the internet in the 90s.

“On the other hand, even the few individuals who claimed to have some knowledge about Blockchain end up tagging Blockchain with CryptoCurrency as the only solution that Blockchain can deliver.  Blockchain is a disruptive and innovative technology built on trust, an answer to an immutable record, storage, transmission of any form of data or transaction.”

To demystify this myth, he said VaultBridge Global in collaboration with their foreign partners, KIPYA Connect and Bit2Big are organizing this workshop scheduled for November 10, 2018 where arrays of experts in the Blockchain including the CEO of KIPYA and Bit2Big Michael Kiberu Nagenda would present papers.

Mr. Ozinegbe further noted that what is lacking in the drive to get Blockchain technology accepted in Nigeria include the need for adequate enlightenment, education and training.

There is the need for players in the economy both government and private to constantly engage in adequate studies and research into the Blockchain Technology.

Also, there is need for practitioners to come up with Blockchain Technology core solution architecture in real sectors as Power, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transportation, etc., in order to enhance the economy.

He said the workshop and conference seeks to further address some of these issues and many more that needs to be attended to in order to bring Blockchain technology to work to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“Our purpose at VaultBridge in putting up this event is to educate and enlighten the general public, create advocacy for what inherent and unfolding benefits that the emergence of Blockchain Technology holds in the future development of Nigeria and Africa at large.”


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E-Financial

FG Verifies 2m Households for Cash Transfer

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Abisoye Coker-Odusote, DG/ CEO, NIMC
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Federal government has said that it has begun a revalidation exercise of the National Social Register in a drive to strengthen the ongoing conditional cash transfer programme designed to ameliorate the impact of economic reforms.

FG Verifies 2m Households for Cash Transfer

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, DG/ CEO, NIMC

Up-to-date, a total of 2.3 million households have been confirmed and cleared for payment under the renewed scheme.

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director general, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), made this known at a recent press briefing held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

The revalidation exercise comes amid concerns raised by the World Bank over the slow implementation of the cash transfer programme, which was launched in 2023, following the removal of petrol subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market.

In its latest Nigeria Development Update report titled “Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth”, the global financial institution observed that only 37 per cent of the intended 15 million households, approximately 5.6 million had so far received payments two years after the programme was launched.

The World Bank had approved a $800m loan for the initiative, out of which $530m had been disbursed as of April 30, 2025.

The World Bank said, “Only 5.6 million households—around 37 per cent—have received at least one tranche of direct transfers. Further expansion of the programme remains dependent on biometrically verifying at least one adult member of the household with a foundational digital identity. Also, efforts to urgently provide support to the poorest and most economically at-risk households should be redoubled and expanded,” the bank noted.

Coker-Odusote, who is a member of the inter-agency task force managing the identity verification process for the programme, noted that the revalidation was being carried out under the National Social Safety Nets project to ensure that only eligible Nigerians benefit from the government’s palliative initiative.

“The Federal Government is currently conducting a revalidation exercise on the national social register under the National Social Safety Net, so that they are able to carry out the payment,” she said.

“As of Tuesday, we have been able to revalidate 2.3 million persons and will soon be able to start making the necessary payments. Our job is to ensure the number of people validated, and we are doing that in conjunction with other agencies to make sure that the money goes to the right people.”

She stressed the importance of accurate identity verification in delivering targeted interventions, noting that the exercise is rigorous to avoid misallocation of funds.

“We don’t want to pay people who no longer exist in this world. So, the right thing must be done, and I want to emphasise that.

“This is the reason for identity, ensuring there is a verifiable source of truth and identity credentials that you can use to validate the identity of someone, and that person can also use it to authenticate who he or she says, they are in real time,” she added.


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E-Financial

MTN’s Digital Lending Arm Disburses $592m Loans in Q1

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MTN’s BankTech platform disbursed $592 million in loans during the first quarter of 2025, setting a new record for the telecom operator’s digital lending business since its launch in August 2023.

MTN’s Digital Lending Arm Disburses $592m Loans in Q1

MTN

The figures, released in MTN Group’s financial reports, highlight the accelerating adoption of mobile-based credit solutions across Africa.

The strong performance reflects growing demand for accessible financial services in markets where traditional banking penetration remains low.

BankTech operates as MTN’s banking-as-a-service platform, providing application programming interfaces that enable third-party fintech firms and businesses to integrate lending, savings and insurance products into their ecosystems.

Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon emerged as key growth markets, driving much of the platform’s expansion.

The Q1 results continue a consistent upward trajectory, building on disbursements of $371.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, followed by $359.9 million, $461.5 million and $546.8 million in subsequent quarters last year.

MTN’s move into digital lending follows earlier innovations by regional telecom operators including Safaricom’s M-Shwari in Kenya and Airtel Money Loans across East Africa.

These mobile-based services have collectively created a $247 million consumer lending marketplace, addressing portions of Africa’s estimated $782 billion credit gap.

The increasing loan volumes suggest shifting consumer attitudes toward telecom-driven financial solutions, which many now view as viable alternatives to conventional banking services.

This trend underscores the transformative role mobile networks are playing in financial inclusion across the continent.

As digital lending platforms gain traction, regulators face the dual challenge of fostering innovation while implementing safeguards for consumers.

The growth of services like BankTech indicates telecom companies will likely remain central to Africa’s financial services evolution, particularly for underserved populations and small businesses needing access to credit.

The platform’s expansion comes amid broader efforts to bridge Africa’s credit gap through technology-driven solutions. With mobile money adoption continuing to rise across the continent, digital lending services appear poised for further growth as they demonstrate their ability to reach customers traditionally excluded from formal financial systems.

 

 


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E-Financial

Access Holdings Sets Benchmark in Fraud Prevention With ₦193.5Bn Tech Investment

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As global financial fraud surges to over $485 billion in annual losses, Access Holdings PLC is setting a new standard in Africa’s banking industry through aggressive and strategic investment in technology aimed at combating the growing threat. With Nigeria’s financial sector experiencing a spike in digital fraud, particularly through mobile and online channels, Access Holdings has emerged as a front-runner in fraud prevention through innovation.

In 2024, Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank, recorded a landmark ₦193.5 billion ($120.5 million) in technology investments, a 147% increase over the previous year and the highest IT spend in Nigeria’s banking industry. This bold move has paid off significantly. The Group reported a 73% drop in fraud-related losses, falling from ₦6.15 billion in 2023 to just ₦1.64 billion in 2024.

“Our customers’ trust is our most valuable asset,” said Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc. “In a world of rising digital risks, we have chosen to lead with innovation and resilience. Our sustained investment in cybersecurity, AI-driven fraud detection, and biometric authentication is delivering real results, and reinforcing confidence in our digital banking platforms.”

Globally, banks like JPMorgan Chase are increasing technology budgets to combat fraud, with a record $17 billion in 2024. Nigeria is not left behind. Among local peers, Access Holdings has demonstrated the strongest correlation between strategic tech spending and measurable fraud reduction.

Access Holdings’ investments include AI-driven transaction monitoring, biometric verification systems, enhanced core banking upgrades, and real-time fraud analytics, all designed to detect and respond to threats with speed and precision.

While digital innovation is expanding access to banking, it has also exposed customers and institutions to evolving threats. According to Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) data, fraud incidents in the country jumped 112% from 2019 to 2023, underscoring the urgent need for systemic countermeasures.

Access Holdings’ proactive stance not only affirms its leadership in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape but also offers a compelling model for financial institutions across Africa looking to secure trust in an increasingly digital world.


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