General News
Experts Brainstorm at AITEC Africa Conference
AITEC Africa, the leading organiser of ICT events across Africa, held the 2010 AITEC Banking & Mobile Money West Africa Conference at Eko Hotel’s new world-class conference centre over 11-12 May.
This year’s conference was tagged “Thought leadership and innovation to survive and thrive in a new banking era”.
Sean Moroney, chairman of Aitec Africa in his welcome address explained that “we live in a challenging world, particularly in the banking industry and it is vital for every manager and professional to have access to latest thinking on strategies, technologies and systems on the world market.”
Speaking on Pragmatic Ways to Achieve Financial Inclusion in Nigeria and West Africa, Macauley Atasie, CEO Nextzon Business Services said Financial Inclusion ensures access to financial services and timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups at an affordable cost.”
He added that “Financial Exclusion is the lack of access to basic formal financial products and services and credit leading to approaching informal/ exploitative markets.”
He noted that the financially excluded are small vendors, farmers, SMEs, artisans, semi/unskilled workers, unemployed, the poor and uneducated.
“In Nigeria, the structure for MFBs is still evolving, but it is clear that so far, we have not cracked it,” identifying the challenges of MFBs as efficient delivery channels, right products, industry standards and efficiency.
Atasie called for correspondent banking, mobile banking, absence of frills accounts, products with simplified documentation and shared offices back-office infrastructure.
“The current delivery channels of most financial institutions in Nigeria and other West African countries are ineffective at reaching the financially excluded, channels are too far away from the poor and are not modeled to suit their cultural and psychological make up,” he noted.
He said more recent financial inclusion efforts around the world are looking to combine the skills of traditional financial institution players with complementary, non-traditional distribution channels to reach low-income families.
Atasie called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders to assist ISPs in accessing international funds for promoting financial inclusion while developing local funds
Hany Fekry, head of Sales & marketing, Mediterranean Smart Cards Company, Egypt while speaking on Smart Cards Challenges & Smart ways to address them, said third party processors were established to provide the experience and know-how to banks and financial institutions at competitive costs.
He said senior managers and decision makers need to focus on positioning themselves among their fierce competitors, and let their technical functions be handled by the experts.
“Outsourcing is rapidly becoming an accepted management tool for redefining and re-energizing the corporation. It challenges today’s executives to rethink the traditional, vertically integrated firm in favor of a more flexible organization structured around core competencies and long-term, external relationships.”
Zain Khan CMC, CEO, Alliances Consulting, Canada, in his presentation on Critical Success Factors in Maximizing Consumer Participation and Acceptance of the Mobile Banking Paradigm Shift said the consumer is imperative as a key strategic variable in the success of mobile banking.
Khan said this explains the need for maintaining a balance between innovation and consumer interests, critical consumer considerations in the supply chain of mobile banking, provide innovative ways to proactively educate consumers and maximize the overall value to consumers in the deployment of mobile banking.
The bank switch panel discussion, was moderated by Foluso Phillips, CEO, Phillips Consulting on the topic, Nigeria’s Banking Switch Landscape: Building a Tower or Babel?
Discussants at the panel were Mitchel Elegbe, managing director, Interswitch, Francis Ebuehi, managing director of Chams Switch, Ike Nnamani, managing director, Medallion Communications and Barry Ryan, director, Kenswitch, Kenya.
Francis Ebuehi, managing director, Chams Switch said stakeholders must be involved in the policy and procedures of the National Central Switch. He said there must be strict adherence to professionalism built on the concept of separation of roles for a successful switch.
Ike Nnamani, managing director, Medallion Communications said seamless interoperatability poses a challenge to epayment while calling for a proactive, knowledgeable regulation with right guidelines.
Mitchel Elegbe, managing director, Interswitch said problems with SAT 3 caused problems with the use of cards. He said banks will bypass the NCS, if not properly structured.
The two day event had a line up of 40 speakers, moderators, workshop leaders and panelists, 20 of whom are international experts, to share their knowledge and insights with local bank professionals in a stimulating and empowering conference environment.
The event also included a world class expo, showcasing leading local and international suppliers of systems and solutions for the financial services sector.
General News
Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.
From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.
Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.
Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.
In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.
Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.
“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.
“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
General News
Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has become the world’s first trillionaire after the successful public listing of SpaceX pushed his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

Elon Musk
According to multiple financial reports, Musk’s fortune surged to approximately $1.1 trillion following SpaceX’s historic stock market debut on June 12, making him the first individual in history to achieve the milestone.
The sharp increase in wealth was driven primarily by SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at more than $1.7 trillion at listing before rising above $2 trillion during its first day of trading. Musk’s holdings in SpaceX, combined with his stakes in Tesla and other ventures, significantly boosted his net worth.
Musk, 54, is also the founder or co-founder of companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. He acquired social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal and has remained one of the most influential figures in technology and business.
Financial analysts noted that Musk’s wealth now far exceeds that of any other billionaire.
Matt Durot, deputy editor at Forbes Wealth, said the gap between Musk and the world’s second-richest individual had widened significantly, with no other person currently close to the trillion-dollar threshold.
Despite the historic achievement, Musk’s vast wealth has reignited debates over global inequality and the responsibilities of ultra-wealthy individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.
Advocacy groups have frequently pointed to issues such as hunger, disease eradication and access to education as areas where large-scale private philanthropy could make a significant impact.
In 2021, Musk publicly challenged the United Nations to provide a detailed plan showing how billions of dollars could help combat world hunger. Although a proposal was later presented, no donation followed.
Analysts note that much of Musk’s wealth remains tied to company shares rather than liquid cash, meaning his net worth can fluctuate significantly with market movements.
Nevertheless, the SpaceX IPO marks a historic moment in global finance, placing Musk in a wealth category previously considered unimaginable.
Commenting on Musk’s business achievements, Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, described him as “the Edison of our time.”
Musk’s rise from co-founding internet startup Zip2 in the 1990s to becoming the world’s first trillionaire is regarded by many analysts as one of the most remarkable wealth creation stories in modern history.
General News
Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.
Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.
Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:
- Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
- Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
- Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
- Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
- Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.
Example of a grey website.
A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.
There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.
Regional specifics
Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.
In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.
These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.
The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.
Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.
These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.
In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.
Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.
“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.
Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.
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