E-Financial
Mastercard and Zenith Bank Introduce New Payment Cards to Accelerate Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

Mastercard has today announced the launch of two innovative products in collaboration with Zenith Bank, the Mastercard Naija Card and the World Elite Credit Card, designed to address the diverse financial needs of Nigerians. These payment cards are set to accelerate financial inclusion in the country, catering to the unique needs of multiple market segments.

L-R: Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Celestina Appeal, Group Head Card Business and Solutions, Zenith Bank PLC, Mark Elliott, Divisional President SSA, Mastercard, Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager, West Africa, Mastercard and Dimitrios Dosis, President of Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) at Mastercard.
As part of Mastercard’s financial inclusion strategy, the Mastercard Naija Card aims to provide affordable banking solutions to consumers who have historically been excluded from traditional financial services.
This innovative product will enable financial institutions to reach a wider customer base, contributing to the goal of reducing the number of financially excluded individuals in Nigeria, which stands at 28.8 million as of 2023.
Alternatively, the World Elite Credit Card, a premium credit card designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offers a host of benefits and discounts, including travel, lifestyle, and health and insurance services. With the World Elite Credit Card, targeted cardholders can enjoy a higher level of service at home and abroad.
“We are excited to launch these groundbreaking solutions with Zenith Bank. They represent a significant step forward in our mission to connect one billion people to the digital economy by 2025.
“By providing affordable banking solutions catering to the unique needs of diverse consumer segments, our vision of powering a more inclusive financial ecosystem that benefits everyone, moves a step closer to fruition,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, at Mastercard.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone as Mastercard introduces its first domestic card in Africa and the World Elite Credit Card in West Africa, underscoring the company’s dedication to expanding access to first-rate, locally relevant financial services.
Additionally, it aligns with the shared mission of both Mastercard and Zenith Bank – driving the former’s objective of nurturing inclusive financial markets and the latter’s mission of fostering innovation, superior performance, and delivering premium value to all stakeholders.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Mastercard to launch these innovative products which will significantly bolster financial inclusion and address the unique requirements of our customers.
“These solutions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to delivering accessible and bespoke financial services across all customer segments,” said Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc.
With this collaboration, Mastercard and Zenith Bank stand poised to redefine the financial landscape in Nigeria and West Africa, offering enhanced control and access to a world of premium, bespoke services, and driving a shared vision of progress and accessibility.
E-Financial
NIA Puts Industry Written Premium @ N1.5trn in 2024

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.
E-Financial
UN and Sterling One Foundation Lead Coalition Ahead of ASIS 2025

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
E-Financial
Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List

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.
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.
- General News2 days ago
Nigeria’s BNPL Market is Projected to Value @ $2.6B by 2030
- Telecom2 days ago
Free WiFi Meets Mega Entertainment at the Grand Opening of Solution Fun City
- E-Financial2 days ago
NIA Puts Industry Written Premium @ N1.5trn in 2024
- Telecom2 days ago
Instagram Safety Tools Every Parent Should Know About
- E-Financial3 days ago
Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List
- Telecom3 days ago
NCC Unveils Landmark RIA Report, Reinforces Stakeholder-Centric Regulation
- General News3 days ago
AfDB Cuts Nigeria’s Growth Projection to 3.2%
- Telecom2 days ago
V-Malaysia 2025: QNET Strengthens Global Network with Landmark 5-Day Event