Connect with us

Banking Sector

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Urges Telcoms Firms And DMBs to Settle Dispute

Published

on

Godwin Emefiele - Investors King

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele has called on telecommunication companies and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in the country, to resolve their ongoing dispute to protect consumers’ interests.

Emefiele while speaking at an event in Abuja, disclosed that if the issue between telcos and DMBs is not resolved, customers will suffer unpleasant banking services

He further disclosed that the CBN was on top of the issue to broker peace between both parties to ensure that their dispute is resolved amicably, and to prevent consumers from bearing the brunt of the consequences.

He said that he strongly believes both parties will come to an agreement through the instrumentality of the Bank.

Recall that telecommunications companies and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country have been at loggerheads since 2019 over unpaid USSD debt which has now risen to N120 billion Naira.

Telecom Operators, under the platform of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), three days ago warned that they have endured beyond limits the lingering Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debt owed them by banks, noting that they were prepared to disconnect all bank customers currently using the platform.

This saw the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) order telcos in the country to withdraw their USSD services from banks. Reports reveal that the approval was granted because, despite different stakeholders’ efforts to resolve the issue, DMBs have continued to incur higher debts, without making commensurate payments.

Investors King understands the USSD feature was brought into Nigeria’s financial inclusion plan to cater to the underbanked, which has remained a great enabler for vulnerable people in different areas of the country. Notably, the USSD feature, which is similar to Short Message Service (SMS), has become a popular way in which Nigerians make banking transactions.

Hence, if the lingering dispute between telcos and DMBs are not resolved, it is not far-fetched to say that it will negatively impact Nigeria’s financial inclusion design.

Continue Reading
Comments

Banking Sector

Access Holdings Plc Plans $1.8 Billion Capital Raise

Published

on

Access bank

Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Nigeria’s leading bank, Access Bank Plc, has unveiled ambitious plans for a $1.8 billion capital raise aimed at fueling its expansion efforts over the next four years.

The strategic move comes as Access sets its sights on becoming one of the largest lenders on the African continent.

During a conference call with investors in Lagos, executives outlined the company’s intention to raise $1.5 billion, or the naira equivalent, through the issuance of shares, bonds, or other financial instruments.

Also, Access aims to generate up to 365 billion naira ($257 million) by selling shares to existing investors.

Bolaji Agbede, acting group chief executive officer, clarified that the current fundraising initiative primarily involves a rights issue.

The capital infusion is earmarked to support Access’s ambitious growth plan, which commenced last year.

The bank intends to expand its footprint into new markets, including Morocco, Egypt, and the United States, as part of a broader strategy to double the share of assets outside its home market by 2027.

With operations spanning 22 countries, including the United Arab Emirates and the UK, Access Bank is positioning itself for significant international growth.

The recent appointment of Bolaji Agbede as acting group CEO follows the passing of co-founder and former CEO, Herbert Wigwe, adding a layer of significance to the bank’s future direction.

Access’s acquisition of National Bank of Kenya Ltd. underscores its commitment to expanding its presence in East Africa’s largest economy.

As Access Bank charts its course for expansion, the $1.8 billion capital raise signals its determination to seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving financial landscape, both domestically and across the African continent.

Continue Reading

Banking Sector

Safaricom, Access Holdings Forge Partnership to Revolutionize Remittance Corridor in Africa

Published

on

Access bank

Safaricom, the leading telecommunications company in Kenya, has entered into a strategic partnership with Access Holdings, spearheaded by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

The collaboration aims to revolutionize the remittance corridor between East and West Africa, marking a significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion and empowering millions of individuals across the continent.

The partnership comes on the heels of Access Holdings’ recent acquisition of the National Bank of Kenya Limited, signaling the company’s ambitious expansion into the East African market.

Leveraging Safaricom’s extensive network and expertise in mobile money through M-Pesa, which currently dominates the mobile money market in Kenya, the alliance seeks to create seamless and efficient channels for remittance transactions.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the driving force behind Access Holdings, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to transcend traditional boundaries and foster greater economic connectivity between East and West Africa.

He highlighted the fusion of collective expertise and resources between the two entities, underlining their shared commitment to driving financial inclusion and empowerment across the continent.

The partnership holds promise for addressing the challenges faced by millions of Africans in accessing affordable and reliable remittance services.

By connecting more than 60 million customers and 5 million businesses across eight countries, the collaboration aims to facilitate over $1 billion in daily transaction value, significantly boosting the flow of remittances within and outside Africa.

With the first phase of the collaboration focusing on key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, stakeholders anticipate a transformative impact on the remittance landscape, paving the way for greater intracontinental trade and economic integration in line with the objectives of initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Continue Reading

Banking Sector

EFCC Urged to Repatriate Recoveries to NDIC for Depositors’ Relief

Published

on

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has made a fervent plea to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the repatriation of recovered funds to its coffers to facilitate the timely reimbursement of depositors affected by bank failures.

During a recent meeting between the Managing Director of NDIC, Bello Hassan, and the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, at the NDIC headquarters in Abuja, Hassan stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two agencies in recovering depositors’ funds lost due to bank failures.

Hassan emphasized that the return of recoveries made by the EFCC on behalf of the NDIC would significantly contribute to the prompt reimbursement of affected depositors.

He commended the EFCC for its unwavering efforts in combating corruption and financial crimes, highlighting its crucial role as a key member of the Taskforce on Implementation of the Failed Banks Act chaired by the NDIC.

The NDIC boss also highlighted the existing partnership between the two organizations, which led to the establishment of the NDIC Help Desk at the EFCC in 2022.

He disclosed that several high-profile cases referred to the EFCC were currently under investigation.

In response, Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to collaborating closely with the NDIC to combat financial crimes and safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian banking sector.

He pledged to intensify efforts to repatriate recovered funds promptly, acknowledging the interconnectedness between criminal activities and bank failures.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending