Banking Sector

Heirs Holdings Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Calls for India-Nigeria Business Synergy

Published

3 weeks ago

September 10, 2023

In a dynamic address at the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Co-Chair of the Business 20 (B20) Action Council, delivered an impassioned plea for global business leaders to harness the vast economic potential of Nigeria and the African continent.

The event, organized by the High Commission of Nigeria to India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC), provided a unique platform for dialogue and collaboration between two economic powerhouses.

Elumelu, a renowned businessman who operates in 24 countries across four continents and invests in entrepreneurs across all 54 African nations, emphasized the tremendous opportunities that Nigeria and Africa offer to investors.

“Nigeria boasts a massive market, with over 200 million people and the largest GDP on the continent,” Elumelu stated. “What’s even more exciting is the youth demography, which comprises 65% of our population. We have intelligent, energetic, and hardworking young people—an incredible source of human capital, that investors need to drive their businesses. This presents a tremendous investment opportunity!”

Elumelu’s address didn’t stop at highlighting the potential but delved into practical investment successes, notably in the power sector. He shared his experiences with Transcorp Group, a company under Heirs Holdings, which achieved a remarkable feat in the Nigerian power sector by not only turning a profit but also paying dividends to shareholders in its second year of investment—a rare occurrence in the sector.

“I like power, yes for returns, but just as importantly, it is critical for our country’s success, as a society and nation,” he emphasized.

He went on to encourage Indian business leaders to consider Nigeria as a profitable and rewarding investment destination, citing the successes of Heirs Holdings across various sectors, including power, hospitality, healthcare, technology, banking, and insurance.

“As true Africapitalists, we believe in collaboration for mutual prosperity,” Elumelu remarked. “We need capital to drive infrastructure, as well as to drive businesses that will spur the employment our economy needs. We cannot do it alone; we need collaboration.”

Elumelu’s impassioned plea for increased investment in Nigeria and Africa received a warm reception from the audience, including Indian and Nigerian business leaders, politicians, and international development partners.

The conference marks a pivotal moment in strengthening economic ties between India and Nigeria, with the promise of mutually beneficial partnerships on the horizon.

As the global business community explores the investment opportunities in Nigeria, Tony Elumelu remains steadfast in his commitment to fostering collaboration and building a brighter future for both nations and their human capital.

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Temitayo Olukoya

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Banking Sector

Access Bank, Others Collect N154 Billion in Electronic Banking Fees in H1’23, a 16.7% YoY Surge

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2023

Samed Olukoya

In the first half of 2023, customers of Nigeria’s top nine commercial banks paid a whopping N154 billion in fees for utilizing electronic banking services, reflecting a robust 16.7% year-on-year increase compared to H1’22’s N131.97 billion.

The data, extracted from the financial statements of these banks, underscores the escalating trend of Nigerians embracing electronic payment channels.

Leading the pack in revenue generation from these fees is Access Bank, amassing N43.9 billion, followed by United Bank for Africa Plc (N51.07 billion), Zenith Bank (N22.27 billion), Guaranty Trust Bank (N21.2 billion), and others like Stanbic IBTC (N2.14 billion), First City Monument Bank (N7.4 billion), Unity Bank (N1.96 billion), Fidelity Bank (N1.85 billion), and Wema Bank (N3.13 billion).

Electronic banking services encompass a gamut of options, including internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and Point of Sale (PoS) systems.

Recent data from the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) for Q1’23 indicates a substantial surge in electronic transactions.

Transaction volume increased by 209% YoY to 4.7 billion, and transaction value grew by 48% YoY to N137.52 trillion.

The nine banks collectively raked in N66.7 billion in account maintenance fees and commissions during H1’23, reflecting a 14.7% YoY rise.

Zenith Bank led this category with N21.02 billion, trailed by Access Bank (N13.36 billion), Guaranty Trust Bank (N10.5 billion), and United Bank of Africa (N9.6 billion).

Overall, the banks’ cumulative net fees and commission income registered a substantial 20.7% YoY growth, reaching N448.47 billion in H1’23 from N371.43 billion in H1’22.

Banking Sector

Access Holdings Posts 52.6% Profit for the First Half of the Year

Parent Company of Access Bank Celebrates Remarkable Financial Performance in H1’23

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2023

Investors King

Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank, has reported a 58.9 percent surge in gross revenue to N940.3 billion for the first half of 2023.

The financial services giant also recorded remarkable growth in Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Profit After Tax (PAT) at 71.4 percent and 52.6 percent, respectively, culminating in N167.6 billion for PBT and N135.4 billion for PAT during the same period.

These financial milestones were unveiled as part of Access Holdings’ Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period concluding on June 30, 2023.

The driving force behind this unprecedented growth can be attributed to a potent combination of factors. A 63.0 percent growth in interest income and a 51.9 percent increase in non-interest income fueled the surge in gross revenue.

Access Holdings also witnessed a 35 percent year-to-date growth in customer deposits, capping the first half of 2023 at an impressive N12.5 trillion. This remarkable achievement encompassed all business segments, reinforcing the Group’s status as Nigeria’s largest financial institution by total assets.

The company’s total assets grew by 39.0 percent year-on-year to N20.9 trillion while shareholders’ funds surged by 40.6 percent to N1.7 trillion.

These astounding figures underline the Group’s ability to generate value from a diversified business portfolio, spanning banking, asset management, and payment services.

Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, commented on the company’s positive performance, saying, “Our growth plans for the African continent remain firm and clear, driven by the strong long-term growth prospects and trade opportunities seen across many of the countries.”

He went on to emphasize the company’s commitment to its 5-year cyclical strategy, stating, “Our primary objective remains to transform Access Holdings Plc into a leading financial and ecosystem player, fostering opportunities for shared prosperity among all stakeholders.”

Banking Sector

Central Bank of Nigeria Postpones 293rd Monetary Policy Committee Meeting

Published

1 week ago

September 22, 2023

Investors King

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the postponement of its 293rd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, originally scheduled for September 25th and 26th, 2023.

Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, released a statement on Thursday confirming the decision.

In the statement, Dr. AbdulMumin stated, “The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has deferred its 293rd meeting, which was initially planned for Monday and Tuesday, September 25th and 26th, 2023, respectively. A new date will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this change may cause our stakeholders and the general public.”

While the CBN did not provide an official reason for the postponement, some industry experts suggest it may be related to the pending approvals for the newly appointed governor and deputy governors of the bank.

President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Yemi Cardoso as the potential head of the CBN. Additionally, Tinubu has endorsed the nominations of four new deputy governors for the apex bank, who are expected to serve for an initial term of five years, pending confirmation by the Senate.

The nominated deputy governors are Emem Usoro, Muhammad Abdullahi-Dattijo, Philip Ikeazor, and Bala Bello. However, the appointment of the CBN governor is contingent upon Senate confirmation, which is currently on a yearly recess.

The CBN assures stakeholders and the public that the rescheduled MPC meeting date will be communicated promptly as soon as it is confirmed.