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IATA Rues 2014 as Africa’s Slowest Demand for Air Travel

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Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for the full year of 2014 showing demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.9% compared to the full year of 2013.

This 2014 performance was above the 10-year average growth rate of 5.6% and the 5.2% annual growth experienced in 2013 compared to 2012.

Meanwhile, IATA identified that African airlines experienced the slowest annual demand growth, up 0.9% compared to 2013. With capacity up 3.0%, load factor fell 1.5 percentage points to 67.5%, the lowest among the regions.

Capacity rose 5.6% last year, with the result that load factor climbed 0.2 percentage points to 79.7%.

All regions saw demand grow in 2014. More than half of the growth in passenger travel occurred on airlines in emerging markets including Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

In recent months domestic market growth played a large role in driving growth.

This is owed mainly to a pick-up in Chinese domestic travel which expanded by some 11% in 2014 over the previous year.

“Demand for the passenger business did well in 2014. With a 5.9% expansion of demand, the industry out-performed the 10-year average growth rate. Carriers in the Middle East posted double-digit growth while results in Africa were barely above previous-year levels. Overall a record 3.3 billion passengers boarded aircraft last year—some 170 million more than in 2013. While it is clear that people will continue to travel in growing numbers, there have been signs in recent months that softening business confidence is translating into a leveling off of international travel demand,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO.

International Passenger Markets

International passenger traffic rose 6.1% in 2014 compared to 2013. Capacity rose 6.4% and load factor slipped 0.1 percentage points to 79.2%.

Asia Pacific carriers recorded an increase of 5.8% compared to 2013, which was the largest increase among the three biggest regions.

However, traffic has been broadly flat over the past four months or so amid signs of a slowdown in regional production activity, although trade volumes have remained strong. Capacity rose 7.0%, pushing down load factor 1.1 percentage points to 76.9%.

European carriers’ international traffic climbed 5.7% in 2014. Capacity rose 5.2% and load factor rose 0.6 percentage points 81.6%. Robust travel on low fare airlines as well as airlines registered in Turkey offset economic weakness and risks in the region.

North American airlines saw demand rise 3.1% in 2014 over 2013. Among developed economies, the US is the standout performer. Capacity rose 4.6%, dropping load factor 1.1 percentage points to 81.7%. This was the highest among all regions.

Middle East carriers had the strongest annual traffic growth at 13.0%. The region’s economies continue to show robust growth in non-oil sectors, and are therefore well-placed to withstand the plunge in oil revenues. Capacity rose 11.9% and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 78.1%.

Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 5.8%. Capacity rose 4.7% and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 80%. While Brazilian economic growth has stagnated, regional trade volumes have improved in recent months.

African airlines experienced the slowest annual demand growth, up 0.9% compared to 2013. With capacity up 3.0%, load factor fell 1.5 percentage points to 67.5%, the lowest among the regions.

The weakness in international air travel for regional carriers is not believed to be attributable to the Ebola outbreak, the impact of which has been restricted largely to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, markets that comprise a very small proportion of traffic.

nstead it appears to reflect negative economic developments in parts of the continent including Nigeria, which is highly reliant on oil revenues. South Africa also experienced weakness earlier in the year.

The Bottom Line, according to IATA DG is, “In the aftermath of the Greek elections and the intensifying debate on how to deliver a dynamic economic program for Europe, we must not forget the power of air connectivity to create growth. Governments can kick-start economic development by reducing the passenger taxes that depress demand for air transport, costing jobs and prosperity.

“There are some positive signs. The Scottish government is promising to cut its air passenger duty by 50%. And Austria’s air transport levy is being evaluated as part of comprehensive tax reforms.

“Scrapping the Austrian levy alone could create some 3,300 jobs. That should help convince politicians in these countries to move from considering reductions to delivering results. High taxes, onerous regulation and infrastructure limitations make Europe a tough place to run an airline.

“A continent-wide commitment to address these issues so that aviation can play its critical role as an economic catalyst would be a powerful signal that Europe’s politicians really do mean business”.


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NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


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T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

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T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


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Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

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Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Bank

Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.

He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.

“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”

Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”

He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.


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