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Exchange Rate: Foreign Airlines Raise Fares

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Foreign Airlines
  • Exchange Rate: Foreign Airlines Raise Fares

The international airfares from Lagos to various destinations across the globe have recorded a further increase following the announcement of a new dollar exchange rate for the sale of air tickets.

The Switzerland-based IATA, the trade association representing over 290 global airlines, reviewed the dollar exchange rate for the sale of tickets for flights out of Nigeria from 305/dollar to 326/dollar about three weeks ago.

As a result of this development, international airfares out of Nigeria, which are already on the high side, have risen further by seven per cent.

Travel companies issuing international tickets in Nigeria confirmed to our correspondent on Sunday that airfares had recorded a further increase.

Although some travel agents expressed the hope that the development would not affect sales volume, other felt some cost-conscious passengers might choose to cancel proposed travels owing to the rise.

A survey by our correspondent on Sunday showed that non-stop return flights in the economy class from Lagos to some destinations in the United States aboard the Delta Airlines, which used to cost between N750,000 and N850,000 during the summer season, were being offered between N850,000 and N940,000.

Non-stop return flights from Lagos to London, the United Kingdom in the economy class on the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which used to be between N350,000 and N550,000, had also up to between N400,000 to N600,000 for the summer season.

Non-stop return flight in the economy class from Lagos to destinations in South Africa, aboard the South Africa Airways, which used to cost between N220,000 and N240,000, depending on the timing, had gone up to between N230,000 and N250,000 for the summer season.

Although airfares actually rose as a result of the increase in the exchange rate for the sale of tickets from 305/dollar to 326/dollar, some travel agents said the development had made foreign airlines to release some cheaper classes of airfares that hitherto were blocked.

Unconfirmed sources said foreign airlines flying into the country were not breaking even with the sale of tickets at 305/dollar.

The development, it was learnt, forced them to approach IATA to increase the exchange rate from 305/dollar to 326/dollar.

Foreign airlines had allegedly blocked travel agents from accessing some cheaper classes of seats for passengers.

However, the blocking of cheaper classes of seats was said to be partly connected with the old problem of not being able to access adequate amount of dollars from the Central Bank of Nigeria to repatriate their naira revenue.

Travel agents said IATA agreed to increase the exchange rate on the premise that airlines would unblock the cheaper classes of seats.

The President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Mr. Bernard Bankole, confirmed that foreign airlines had unblocked some cheaper classes of seats for travel agents, following the increase in the exchange rate from 305/dollar to 326/dollar by IATA.

Bankole said, “Airlines have unblocked some cheaper classes of seats that were not available for sale before now. For example, flights to London that used to be N450,000 or N550,000 have come down. We have flights of N350,000 on the British Airways, Virgin Atlantic now. We now have Oscar class and Sugar class of seats that can be bought for N270,000 and N280,000. IATA has increased the exchange rate for the sale of ticket, but foreign airlines have in turn opened the cheaper classes.”’

Airfares especially international travel tickets have witnessed significant rise in the last two years following the depreciation of the naira from 155/dollar to the current 326/dollar official.

Currently, travel agents said the IATA rate had been fluctuating between N325/dollar and N328/dollar.

The fluctuation in the exchange rate has in the last few years forced some foreign airlines to shut down their services in Nigeria. They included the United Airlines, which used to fly between Lagos and Houston, and the Spanish carrier, Iberia. They both left due to difficulties in converting proceeds from ticket sales into dollars for repatriation.

A travel agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the problem had forced many travel agencies out of business.

“The fluctuation has been like this since the recession but we are yet to get used to it. When it just rose to N200, a lot of people were still travelling because you could still get tickets for N300,000 to New York but since it rose further, many licensed IATA agents have shut down. What keep many of us in the business are the push and the belief that it will get better,” she said

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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DLM Trust Unveils DLM Single Asset Trust

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DLM Capital Group

DLM Trust, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group is thrilled to announce the launch of DLM Single Asset Trust.

The model is a variant of the Living Trust construct that allows for a groundbreaking solution for individuals or Corporations seeking to settle assets into a trust, for the benefit of themselves and their chosen beneficiaries.

The DLM Single Asset Trust guarantees that peoples’ assets are protected and managed in accordance with their intentions by operating under the tenets of trust, security, and careful management. The DLM SAT offers a novel approach to trust services by fusing state-of-the-art technology with knowledgeable advice to enable people and families effortlessly manage their assets.

DLM SAT enables individuals, often referred to as Settlors, to create a single asset trust that will serve both their own and their designated beneficiaries’ purposes. The Trust Fund may be started using the Settlor’s assets/funds and then expanded with future contributions in accordance with the Settlor’s goals. Only authorised individuals, including the settlor, can access the trust because of its strong independent and confidentiality level. DLM Trust Company holds the Fund in trust and manages it for the benefit of the Settlor and designated Beneficiaries.

In a statement, MD of DLM Trust, Lola Razaaq commented on the introduction of the DLM Single Asset Trust, stating that it is a means of establishing a timeline for legacy preservation. “The DLM SAT is our newest offering, and we are thrilled to announce this important milestone for DLM Trust.” The aim of our organisation is to equip people and families with the necessary resources and assistance to safeguard and maintain their heritage for future generations. “Furthermore, we are transforming the concept of future planning with DLM Single Asset Trust.” she said.

DLM Trust Company Limited is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to provide trust services to individuals, corporations, sub-sovereign entities. As always, strategic thinking and innovation will be combined by DLM Trust Company to offer its clients best-in-class services. Since its founding, DLM Trust has worked on a variety of creative and unique transactions, including securitizations, private and public bonds.

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Shell’s $2.4bn Asset Sale Under Close Scrutiny

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Shell

The proposed $2.4 billion asset sale by energy giant Shell to Renaissance Africa Energy has become the focal point of intense scrutiny as the Federal Government of Nigeria aims to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance in the transaction.

The deal has sparked widespread interest and raised questions about its implications for the country’s energy landscape.

Shell, a prominent British energy major with a century-long history of operations in the Niger Delta, announced in January its intention to divest its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, to Renaissance Africa Energy.

This landmark agreement, if finalized, would represent a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s energy sector dynamics.

Renaissance Africa Energy, a consortium comprising five companies, including four Nigerian-based exploration and production firms and an international energy group, has confirmed its participation in the deal.

The consortium’s involvement underscores its strategic positioning to capitalize on Nigeria’s vast energy resources and contribute to the country’s economic development.

The proposed transaction, however, is contingent upon approvals from the Federal Government of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies.

To ensure adherence to regulatory protocols and safeguard national interests, the government has initiated a comprehensive due diligence process, commencing with a high-level meeting held on Monday.

Parties involved in the deal, alongside officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), convened in Abuja for a thorough examination of the transaction details.

Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, outlined the government’s objective to conclude the divestment exercise by June, underscoring the importance of timely and meticulous evaluation.

Komolafe revealed that the government has enlisted the expertise of two globally renowned consulting firms, S&P Global and the BCG Group, to facilitate the due diligence process.

These consultants, recognized for their proficiency in financial analysis and regulatory compliance, will collaborate with NUPRC to ensure that the transaction aligns with industry best practices and regulatory standards.

The due diligence meeting served as a forum to discuss the proposed divestment of Shell’s participating interests in the SPDC JV assets, which are currently operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigerian Limited.

These assets, awarded as Oil Exploration Licence-1 in 1949, have played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, contributing significantly to the nation’s crude oil and gas output.

With an estimated total reserve of nearly 5 billion barrels of oil and extensive gas resources, the SPDC JV assets hold immense strategic importance for Nigeria’s energy security and economic prosperity.

However, as Nigeria seeks to optimize its energy sector operations, the selection of a responsible and capable successor to manage these assets remains paramount.

As discussions continue and the due diligence process unfolds, stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects of the deal.

Representatives from Shell, Renaissance Africa Energy, and regulatory authorities expressed their commitment to ensuring a transparent and seamless transition, with the overarching goal of advancing Nigeria’s energy sector agenda.

The outcome of the scrutiny surrounding Shell’s $2.4 billion asset sale will not only shape the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape but also demonstrate the country’s commitment to fostering a conducive investment environment and promoting sustainable development in the oil and gas sector.

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POS Terminal Deployment in Nigeria Hits 2.68 Million in March 2024

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POS Business in Nigeria

The total Point of Sale (POS) terminals deployed across Nigeria have now reached 2.68 million as of March 2024.

According to data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), this represents a Year-on-Year (YoY) growth rate of 47.36% and reflects the accelerating pace of digitalization within the nation’s financial sector.

The proliferation of POS terminals signals a fundamental shift towards cashless transactions, as businesses and consumers increasingly embrace the convenience and efficiency offered by digital payment solutions.

This surge in adoption highlights the growing reliance on technology to facilitate financial transactions, driving innovation and transforming the way commerce is conducted across various sectors of the economy.

Breaking down the figures, January 2024 saw a deployment of 2.47 million POS terminals, representing a significant YoY increase of 50.61% compared to the same period in 2023.

Similarly, February 2024 witnessed a surge in deployment with 2.58 million POS terminals, marking a YoY growth rate of 54.49% compared to February 2023.

While these numbers paint a picture of rapid expansion, a closer examination reveals that there are over a million registered POS terminals yet to be deployed or taken up by merchants.

In January 2024, the number of registered terminals reached 3.44 million, rising from 2.31 million in 2023. February and March continued this trend, with registered terminals reaching 3.6 million and 3.73 million respectively in 2024.

The increase in registered POS terminals underscores the potential for further expansion and utilization within Nigeria’s digital payment landscape.

As the number of terminals continues to grow, there is a clear indication of the country’s readiness to embrace cashless transactions on a broader scale, paving the way for increased financial inclusion and efficiency.

Industry stakeholders view this surge in POS terminal deployment as a positive step towards realizing Nigeria’s vision of becoming a digital economy powerhouse.

However, challenges such as infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and merchant adoption still need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of digital payments in driving economic growth and development.

As Nigeria moves towards a cashless future, collaboration between the public and private sectors will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and ensuring that the benefits of digitalization are accessible to all segments of society.

With the continued expansion of POS terminal deployment, Nigeria is poised to emerge as a leader in digital payments innovation, transforming the way transactions are conducted and driving economic progress in the process.

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