Corporate Stories Archives - Inside Business Africa

Apr142021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

Nigerian fintech Appzone raises $10M for expansion and proprietary technology

Africa’s fintech space has gained proper attention over the past few years in investments but it is not news that startups still battle with offering high-quality products. However, they seem to be doing quite well compared with traditional banks that face challenges like legacy cost structures and a major lack of operational efficiency. Appzone is a fintech software provider. It is one of the few companies that builds proprietary solutions for these financial institutions and their banking and payments services. Today, the company is announcing that it has closed $10 million in Series A investment. Typically, African financial institutions rely on using foreign technology solutions to solve their problems. But issues around pricing, flexibility to innovate and a ...

Apr142021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

UBA business series to empower SMEs

Corporate Stories

As part of its commitment to support the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) in the continent, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to organise the next edition of its UBA Business Series. The UBA Business Series, which is a monthly event, is an MSME workshop as well as a capacity-building initiative of the bank where business leaders and professionals share well-researched insights on best practices for running successful businesses, especially in the face of the difficult operating environment. Through this initiative, UBA has been assisting businesses with essential tips to help them re-examine their models and strategies and ensure that they stay afloat and remain afloat. The theme of the next edition of the series is ‘Managing Pe...

Apr142021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

African Development Bank’s first virtual business opportunities seminar of 2021, draws 450 global partners and suppliers

Agriculture, Corporate Stories

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) hosted its first virtual business opportunities seminar (BOS) of 2021 on 6 and 7 April. The BOS seminars offer a one-stop shop for companies, civil contractors, manufacturers, consultants, and suppliers from the Bank Group’s regional and non-regional members seeking to provide goods and services to projects or to the Bank. Held virtually as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, delegates were informed about the Bank’s strategy for supporting economic growth, its priority areas, rules and procedures for project and corporate procurement, and ongoing public and private sector operations. The Bank’s 2021 Business Opportunities Seminar was an impressive learning experience and an open door to interact virtually with different experts ...

Apr132021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

Lafarge Africa Setting Sustainability Pace In Nigeria

Corporate Stories

Lafarge Africa Plc, being a good corporate citizen incorporating sustainability practices into its culture, has successfully and consistently balanced its duty to shareholders and responsibility to society. A member of the Swiss building materials multinational LafargeHolcim, Lafarge Africa recently released its 2019 Sustainability Report and a look into the document reinforces the cement giant’s standing. While maintaining a drive for strong financial performance, Lafarge Africa has in recent years doubled down on efforts to operate in an environmentally-friendly manner while creating shared value and promoting inclusive prosperity for all stakeholders. Operating in an energy-intensive industry with major environmental, health, and safety implications, Lafarge ha...

Apr12021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

World Bank Provides $375 Million to Boost Efforts Towards Realizing the Full Potential of Pastoralism in the Sahel

Corporate Stories

Efforts to improve the productivity and resilience of pastoral production systems in the Sahel get a strong boost with a $375 million new IDA financing, approved by the Board of World Bank’s Executive Directors today, to support the implementation of the second Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project, known by its French acronym PRAPS-2 (Projet regional d’appui au pastoralisme au Sahel-Phase 2). Pastoralism is a key driver of growth that provides livelihoods for more than 20 million people in the Sahel. The new project will support this important activity to improve the resilience of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in selected areas of the Sahel region, including in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. Building on the successes of its predecessor...

Feb242021 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

UN, stakeholders raise concern as 4bn people lack clean energy

Corporate Stories

• ARDA worry over fossil fuel subsidy as Nigeria struggles with gas utilisation target• Nations require 4 million MT to meet 2022 target Stakeholders in the energy sector have expressed concern over poor access to clean cooking as over four billion people, or approximately half of the world’s population, face health challenges posed by fossil fuels. United Nations, the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) and global players in the energy sector, who gathered under the umbrella of Liquefied Petroleum Gas for Sustainable Development Goal seven (LPG4SDG7) at an online meeting insisted that unless cooking gas is prioritized in the medium-term, energy poverty would persist. Without cooking gas, millions of households depend on charcoal, wood and kerosene to cooking...

Dec222020 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

Prime Minister, Modi Address At Foundation Laying Ceremony Of Several Development Projects In Kutch, Gujarat

Corporate Stories

Gujarat’s Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupaniji, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Nitin Patelji, ministers in Gujarat government, parliamentarians and my dear brothers and sisters. How are you the people of Kutch? There is also corona over and above winters. So take good care of yourself. I am doubly delighted by coming here because Kutch has always remained close to my heart and secondly, today Kutch has added one more star and carved a name for itself not only in Gujarat but in the country as well. Friends, Today is also the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patelji, the great son of Gujarat and the country. Sardar Saheb's dream of rejuvenating Gujarat from the water of Mother Narmada is being fulfilled rapidly. His statue in Kevadia, the tallest in the world, inspires us to work together...

Aug252020 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

ADVANTAGE PRESTIGE

Corporate Stories, Insurance, Interviews

Prestige Assurance Plc “has the advantage” as it is strategically positioned to provide efficient and effective solutions to your risk management issues, using the modern information technology, skillful and professional workforce with the objective of making its esteemed clients feel the positive impact in every sphere of their lives. Prestige Assurance Plc, is one of Nigeria's leading general insurance Company with offices nationwide, with about 68 years of undisputable insurance services, and a commitment to create long-term value for its clients and stakeholders through strong business fundamentals, consistent with its mission and guided by a strong vision and excellent core values was es...

Aug252020 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

Building trust

Corporate Stories, Interviews

WTO: Okonjo-Iweala Building Trust from Her Roots In the past few days, I have keenly followed the enthusiasm and the seemingly endless endorsements that have greeted the declaration and candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. From the diplomatic circles, she received the support of Ambassador Emmanuel Obiako, one of the most experienced career diplomats in the Nigerian Foreign Service, to the political support of ex-Australian Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard for the position. While this piece is not necessarily about the endorsements she has received in recent weeks - those won't stop coming - my preoccupation here is to state the whys behind these endorsements which many people may not understand. A few weeks ago, the...

Aug252020 by Joshua OlotuNo Comments

The birth of a new nation

Corporate Stories, Exclusive

The challenges of nationhood notwithsdanding, India has come a long way in these 74 years. “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India shall awake to life and freedom.” These were not just words from any ordinary speech but the very first Prime Minister of Independent India was addressing the nation for the very first time. This independence he claimed was not free, according the him, the leaders had to pay a huge price for it. Many have sacrificed their valuable lives, thousands have attained martyrdom so that this coming generation would be able to live a life of liberty. As India celebrates its 74th Independence day on 15th August 2020, it is of utmost importance and prestige and that the people remember all those because of whom they were able to live freel...