E-Financial
IFC Provides Local Currency Support to Access Bank to Expand SME Lending

To help address financing gaps, strengthen private sector growth, and promote inclusive economic development in Sierra Leone, IFC announced a partnership with Access Bank (Sierra Leone) Ltd (ABSL) to increase access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country, particularly those owned and led by women.

Under the partnership, IFC will provide ABSL an unfunded risk-sharing facility of up to $10 million in local currency equivalent Sierra Leonean Leones, which is expected to support up to $20 million equivalent in new SME loans. ABSL will direct at least 25 percent of the financing to women-owned SMEs as part of its strategy to more than double their share in ABSL’s SME portfolio to over 50 percent within five years.
The risk-sharing facility is part of IFC’s Small Loan Guarantee Program (SLGP), which supports efforts to de-risk and scale up financing for SMEs in fragile and/or low-income markets.
The SLGP benefits from a pooled first loss guarantee of $120 million provided by the International Development Association’s (IDA) Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility (IDA PSW BFF). By providing local currency funding, IFC is helping ABSL hedge against currency fluctuations.
In addition to the facility, IFC will offer advisory support to help ABSL strengthen its operations and internal capacity for SME lending. The partnership also includes a component to provide training to employees at 50 SMEs, including women-led businesses, in financial and business management to enhance their credit readiness and long-term sustainability.
“Through our collaboration with IFC, Access Bank Sierra Leone is unlocking new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, extending access to finance in underserved markets, and strengthening the resilience of local businesses,” said Ganiyu Sanni, Managing Director of Access Bank Sierra Leone. “Together, we are driving inclusive finance and supporting sustainable growth across Sierra Leone.”
“This partnership with Access Bank Sierra Leone demonstrates IFC’s commitment to expanding access to finance in underserved markets and to unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs,” said Abdu Muwonge, WBG Joint Country Representative for Sierra Leone.
“SMEs are essential to driving job creation, and boosting resilience and growth in Sierra Leone, where they create the vast majority of jobs. With this partnership, we will help many access the financing they need to grow.”
According to the World Bank Group, SMEs, including micro-enterprises, account for nearly 90 percent of Sierra Leone’s private businesses and provide livelihoods for about 70 percent of the population. Yet, access to finance remains a major constraint, with only around 17 percent of these enterprises able to secure formal loans or credit. the financing gap.
IFC’s current investment portfolio is $43.5 million in Sierra Leone, with a focus on agribusiness and financial sector. IFC is actively engaged in energy, telecommunications, and agriculture value-chains. On the advisory side, IFC is working to expand financial inclusion and to strengthen ecosystems across key agricultural value chains.
E-Financial
Flutterwave Rises from Lagos Startup to Africa’s Fintech Powerhouse

Flutterwave has transformed from a modest Lagos venture into one of Africa’s most valuable fintech firms, processing billions in transactions yearly across 30+ countries and 150+ currencies.

Flutterwave
Founded in 2016 by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, and Adeleke Adekoya, it tackled Africa’s fragmented payments—siloed banks, mobile money gaps, and unreliable cross-border flows—with a unified API for seamless collections, payouts, and settlements.
Founding Vision
The trio spotted the pain: Aboyeji’s Andela faced border delays; Agboola drew from PayPal/Google; Adekoya handled compliance. Early wins included Uber Nigeria payouts from a Lekki co-working space, proving scalability amid lean ops.
Growth Milestones
2017–2020: $10M seed/Series A fueled West Africa push; Agboola took CEO helm post-Aboyeji; COVID boosted e-commerce volumes.
2021–2022: Unicorn at $1B+ (Series C, $170M); $3B+ valuation (Series D, $250M); partnerships with Microsoft, Uber; Send App for US diaspora.
2025–2026: Profitability focus yields better margins; 34 US licenses; Mono acquisition ($25–40M) bolsters open banking.
Challenges Overcome
Regulatory hurdles hit: Kenya 2022 freeze (cleared); Nigeria fraud claims (resolved, controls enhanced); culture probes led to reforms with ex-Mastercard/Stripe hires. These underscore multi-jurisdiction risks like FX curbs and cyber threats.
Nigeria’s Fintech Role
Flutterwave anchors alongside Paystack (Stripe-owned), Moniepoint, amid CBN cash curbs and AfCFTA trade boosts. Dual HQ in Lagos/SF eyes IPO post-profitability, cementing it as Africa’s payments backbone.
E-Financial
CIBN Pledges Full Support to New ACAMB Leadership, Backs Ambitious Roadmap

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has pledged its full support to the Association of Corporate and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) following a high-level strategic meeting between the leadership of both bodies.

New ACAMB Leadership
The high profile meeting, which took place on Tuesday at the CIBN Building, Lagos, served as a formal introduction of the new ACAMB Executive Committee to the CIBN leadership and marked the beginning of a renewed collaborative alliance.
Leading a delegation of the newly inaugurated ACAMB EXCO and Board of Trustees, the President, Jide Sipe, described the visit as a crucial first step in his tenure, aimed at contributing significantly in giving flight to his vision and that of ACAMB.”
“When we assumed office, one of the first things we agreed on was the need to visit key stakeholders”
“However, before reaching out more broadly, we felt it was important to begin with our primary constituency and core stakeholders. We want them to understand the direction we are taking and to support the work we are doing, so that ACAMB can achieve greater success than it has in the past”
“We couldn’t have properly started our tenure without this very important meeting with the CIBN,” Sipe stated
Sipe introduced the newly constituted ACAMB Exco, which includes, the 2nd Vice President, Morolake Phillip-Ladipo; General Secretary, Olugbenga Owootomo, Assistant General Secretary, Ademola Adeshola; Publicity Secretary, Abiodun Coker, and Executive Secretary, Fadekemi Ajakaiye
During his address, Sipe unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the association, highlighting a new direction focused on youth engagement, professional development, and industry advocacy.
Responding, the CIBN President, Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, who warmly received the ACAMB team, commended their forward-thinking vision as he noted that, the association would be focusing on critical areas such as reputational management, sustainable corporate practices, and governance reforms
Olarenwaju also commended ACAMB’s collaboration with CIBN in information management, saying it had raised standards across Nigeria’s banking sector.
“ACAMB’s support has given CIBN and the banking sector brand equity,” he said, praising the association’s record in reputation management.
He recalled ACAMB’s role in addressing crises within the sector, describing the partnership as strategic and beneficial.
He further pledged support for ACAMB’s 30th anniversary in September 2026, its AGM, and other programmes, including fundraising initiatives.
Olarenwaju also promised backing for ACAMB’s capability development and undergraduate mentorship schemes.
“I want to assure you that everything you have presented today has been clearly noted and will be acted upon”
“We are fully committed to working closely with you so as to translate these discussions and vision into measurable progress. Our shared goal is to strengthen the sector, protect its reputation, and enhance its public image in a meaningful and lasting way”
“This meeting discussed various initiatives and reforms crucial for the future of our industry, including the need for continuous training and adaptation to new programs,” Prof. Olanrewaju said.
The meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties expressing gratitude and a firm commitment to deepening their collaboration for the advancement of the banking industry in Nigeria.
E-Financial
Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

Kuda Microfinance Bank partnered with Lovers & Frnds for a Valentine’s edition event on Sunday, February 15, at Space Hub Lekki, Lagos, redefining celebrations around love, friendship, and social connections beyond romance.

Kuda Bank
The R&B-themed gathering drew couples, friend groups, and solo attendees with music sets from DJs like TGarbs, games, gift exchanges, and colour-coded tags—red for relationships, yellow for mingling singles, orange for non-minglers—to spark easy interactions.
Kuda activated a branded photo booth, merchandise giveaways, prize activities, and complimentary drinks for Premium loyalty tier customers, while vendors used Kuda Business POS terminals for seamless cashless payments.
Senior Brand Manager Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi said: “We partner with experiences matching our customers’ lifestyles in music and entertainment, creating spaces they genuinely connect with—we’ll keep supporting how they live and celebrate.”
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