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FSD Africa Partnership Aims to Safeguard and Leverage Investment for Small and Medium-sized African Businesses

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 The four co-operation agreements signed between FSD Africa and the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) and East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) and Southern Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) and the Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Nigeria (PEVCA) will help to ensure local expertise and tailored delivery for regional and country mandates.

FSD Africa today announces the signing of co-operation agreements with AVCA, EAVCA, SAVCA and PEVCA to coincide with the launch of the Africa Private Equity and Private Debt Programme. The programme is a new initiative to support the development of private capital markets in Africa as a complement to public capital markets. It will work to improve the long-term financing options available for businesses across key sectors in Africa’s economy, including healthcare, climate and agriculture.

Access to long-term finance has continued to be a challenge for small and medium-sized businesses across the continent. The economic impact of COVID-19 has only exacerbated the strain on Africa’s formal public markets aiming to provide long-term finance options to businesses desperately in need of capital. This alongside increased risk averseness by lending institutions has left few options for SMEs to access long term financing, in many cases resulting in business closures and job losses.

Through the Africa Private Equity and Private Debt Programme FSD Africa aims to leverage various tools including grants, technical assistance, advocacy and investment capital to support the growth of private capital markets. The partnership aims to support growth in a way that is uniquely African in character, tailored to the local context and delivering long term financing options for SMEs.

FSD Africa, AVCA, EAVCA, SAVCA and PEVCA will work with policymakers, regulators, industry associations, institutional investors and other market operators to encourage and advocate for changes that promote increased flow of institutional capital into private capital markets. Through the programme FSD Africa and its partners will seek to create a knowledge sharing environment by working with regulators to put in place regulatory provisions and/or incentives, build capacity and understanding of relevant market stakeholders.

Mark Napier, CEO at FSD Africa, said:

“Supporting the development of private equity and private debt markets in Africa will provide a boost to small and medium-sized businesses and local economies. We believe this will be greatly welcomed in the short term, ensuring that more jobs are saved, but it will also provide long-term benefits and improve access to capital.  Globally, there has been a secular shift towards private capital markets and it is appropriate that, as part of our response to COVID-19, we pay enough attention to the development of private markets, allowing for more local capital to be channelled into essential sectors including health, agriculture and climate.”

Evans Osano, Director, Capital Markets at FSD Africa, said:

“By encouraging long-term investment capital to Africa’s private sector, real impact can be delivered, including creating and sustaining jobs, and increasing access to services like healthcare. We urge local investors, regulators, and other relevant individuals to come forward to be a part of this programme and look forward to working with them on this exciting next step.

Ify Ossi, Executive Secretary, PEVCA, said:

With the unprecedented economic shocks brought on by the pandemic, the case for mobilizing private capital in our clime has become more evident. In the face of the huge funding gap and growth lag facing sectors across Nigeria, long-term access to local financing coupled with structural adaptations, were necessary, are key to our economic growth and sustainability. Interventions that address industry gaps and challenges must be both private sector and policy driven guided by suitable strategic partnerships and alliances, among other factors. We are excited about PEVCA’s partnership with FSD Africa, particularly its pan African approach towards capital market development, and look forward to jointly facilitating solutions for our industry.

Tanya van Lill, CEO, SAVCA, said:

“SAVCA is looking forward to partner with FSD Africa on this initiative to support the development of private capital markets in Africa. This Programme has the potential to unlock much needed catalytic capital for businesses and industries that have the potential to not only create and preserve jobs, but also contribute to much needed economic growth given the impact of COVID-19.“

Eva Warigia, Executive Director, EAVCA, said:

“For the EAVCA, FSD Africa is a natural partner given their in-depth knowledge of local markets. We see this as a strategic partnership that will advance EAVCA’s commitment to increase local participation in financing private business- both mature and early stage- in East Africa by providing alternative sources of capital”.

Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, CEO, AVCA, said”

“In addition to facilitating greater inflow of private investment to the continent, advocacy is at the centre of our work at AVCA. This collaboration with FSD Africa is timely, and I look forward to working with our colleagues at EAVCA, SAVCA and PEVCA to support investors, businesses and governments in their efforts to strengthen Africa’s economy over the coming years.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Sport Business

Usyk Claims Victory Over Fury in Historic Bout, Becomes Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

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Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious over Tyson Fury to claim the title of undisputed heavyweight champion.

The highly anticipated bout, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcased the remarkable skill and determination of both fighters, culminating in a split-decision victory for Usyk.

From the opening bell, the tension was palpable as Fury, the reigning WBC champion, and Usyk, the unified cruiserweight champion, squared off in the ring.

Fury, known for his towering stature and formidable punching power, sought to impose his will early on, using his reach advantage to keep Usyk at bay.

However, Usyk, undeterred by the size disparity, showcased his superior footwork and technical prowess, darting in and out of Fury’s range to land precise counterpunches.

As the rounds progressed, the momentum shifted back and forth between the two fighters, with each landing significant blows and demonstrating their resilience in the face of adversity.

Fury’s powerful punches tested Usyk’s chin, while Usyk’s speed and agility kept Fury on the defensive.

In the pivotal moments of the fight, Usyk delivered a masterful performance in the later rounds, capitalizing on Fury’s fatigue to unleash a barrage of punches that rocked the defending champion.

Despite Fury’s valiant efforts to rally back, Usyk’s relentless pressure and pinpoint accuracy earned him the judges’ favor, securing a split-decision victory and etching his name in the annals of boxing history.

With this triumph, Usyk joins the ranks of legendary heavyweight champions, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis more than two decades ago.

His victory not only cements his status as one of the sport’s elite athletes but also signals a new era in the heavyweight division, characterized by fierce competition and unparalleled skill.

As the boxing world reels from the electrifying showdown, fans and pundits alike eagerly await the prospect of a rematch between Usyk and Fury. With both fighters showcasing their championship pedigree, the stage is set for another epic clash that promises to captivate audiences worldwide.

In the aftermath of his victory, Usyk expressed gratitude to his team, his country, and his faith, attributing his success to hard work and dedication.

Meanwhile, Fury, while disappointed with the outcome, vowed to bounce back stronger and reclaim his title in the anticipated rematch.

As the boxing world celebrates Usyk’s historic achievement, his victory serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and the unyielding pursuit of excellence in the noble art of boxing.

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Education

JAMB Releases 36,540 Withheld UTME Results, Dismisses Cyber Breach Claims

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The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has quelled concerns over the integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by releasing an additional 36,540 previously withheld scores.

This move follows earlier revelations of withheld results and assertions of a cyber security breach.

Fabian Benjamin, the spokesperson for JAMB, confirmed the release of these results in a statement issued late Tuesday in Abuja.

This latest batch of released scores, when combined with the 531 previously unveiled, brings the total number of results made public to 1,879,437.

Benjamin took the opportunity to address circulating rumors regarding the security of the UTME results.

He categorically dismissed claims of a cyber security breach, saying that the examination outcomes remain intact and securely stored.

He stressed that the results are not stored in any cloud system and thus cannot be compromised by external entities.

At the time of the UTME release, JAMB had disclosed that certain results were withheld pending further investigation.

Subsequently, 531 of these results were recently unveiled with the remainder still under scrutiny.

Benjamin explained that any candidates implicated in examination malpractice are undergoing thorough investigation.

The examination board intends to meticulously review footage from CCTV cameras installed across all accredited centers to ascertain each candidate’s involvement.

Benjamin urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation originating from sources not affiliated with JAMB.

He attributed the discrepancies in minimum admissible scores to variations among tertiary institutions. Some institutions, he noted, proposed lower minimum scores than others, resulting in varying benchmarks.

Benjamin clarified that these benchmarks are determined collectively by all Heads of Institutions during the annual Policy Meeting on Admissions, ensuring uniformity across the country.

Also, Benjamin cautioned religious organizations against overstepping their designated roles.

He warned against the dissemination of false information to governmental bodies for personal gain.

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Travel

British Airways Owner IAG Prepares for Summer Surge Amid High Travel Demand

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british-airways

As the world gradually emerges from the grip of the pandemic, the travel industry is witnessing a resurgence in demand with British Airways owner IAG SA gearing up for a busy summer season.

Despite lingering challenges, the airline conglomerate remains optimistic about the outlook, citing strong demand for travel within Europe and across the Atlantic.

In a recent stock exchange filing, IAG disclosed an adjusted operating profit of €68 million ($73.3 million) for the three months ending March.

According to Chief Executive Officer Luis Gallego, the group’s core markets, including the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and intra-Europe routes, have shown robust performance, positioning them well for the upcoming peak travel period.

With vaccination rates increasing and travel restrictions easing in many parts of the world, consumers are eager to resume travel plans, fueling the surge in demand.

However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. While travel within Europe and across the Atlantic remains strong, other regions present a more complex operating environment.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dampened demand for certain destinations, while airspace restrictions resulting from geopolitical tensions, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have disrupted flight routes to East Asia.

Despite these hurdles, IAG remains resilient, banking on the strength of its core markets and the performance of its brands to weather the storm.

The company’s strategic positioning and proactive measures to adapt to changing circumstances have positioned it to capitalize on the rebound in travel demand.

As the summer season approaches, IAG is focused on ensuring operational readiness to meet the surge in passenger numbers.

With travelers eager to reconnect with loved ones, explore new destinations, and embark on long-awaited vacations, the airline group stands ready to facilitate safe and seamless travel experiences.

As vaccination campaigns progress and travel sentiment rebounds, IAG’s proactive approach and strategic investments position it as a key player in the aviation industry’s recovery journey. With optimism on the horizon, the company remains committed to delivering exceptional service and fostering a seamless travel experience for passengers worldwide.

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