General News
IFC, GE Healthcare Develop High Quality Health Diagnostics in Nigeria
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced a partnership with SRL Limited, GE Healthcare and Echo-Scan Services Limited for the development of a chain of health diagnostic centers across Nigeria.
As part of the consortium, IFC will invest $12 million for the development of the new advanced, comprehensive diagnostic centers, and SRL, the largest operator of diagnostic centers in India and current IFC client, will operate the centers and provide personnel training.
GE Healthcare will serve as the joint development partner and key technology solutions provider, bringing a range of diagnostic imaging equipment, training, and $5 million of investment.
The new company, which will build on the services currently offered by Echo-Scan, will for the first time provide access to more sophisticated health technology for Nigerians who cannot afford to leave the country for services.
Currently, Echo-Scan’s seven clinics serve about 250,000 patients a year, about one-third of which are expectant mothers, providing sonograms, basic x-rays, and lab tests for malaria, viral and bacterial infections.
New investment will support the construction of two additional flagship centers and the refurbishment of existing centers to enable them to offer more advanced Lab Medicine (Histopathology, Cytogenetics, Genetic disorders, Molecular Diagnostics) and Imaging Services (MRI, High resolution CT scans). The project, which will be implemented in phases, eventually aims to serve one million patients annually.
SRL Limited is a part of the well-known Fortis Group. It operates over 270 labs about 6500 collection points across India and beyond.
SRL will operate and manage the centers in Nigeria, and be responsible for planning, organizing, staffing and equipping the centers, and also creating systems and Standard Operating Protocols.
SRL plans to install its proprietary IT solution – “Centralized Lab Information Management System (CLIMS)” to ensure seamless working of each and every segment of the network. GE will be the technology partner for radiology.
Dr. Ayodele Cole Benson, Echo-Scan co-Founder and Managing Director, said, “Working with partners to create Eagle-Eye Echo-Scan will help us fulfill our vision of delivering high quality health services in Nigeria. This new company will provide career development for current staff and greater professional opportunities for Nigerian medical professionals to remain in their home country and work in state-of-the-art facilities, which benefits the entire health system.”
Eme Essien Lore, IFC Country Manager for Nigeria said, “Population growth, rising incomes, and greater incidence of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes are increasing demand for health care in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa. Pathology and radiology play an important role in the prevention and care of these chronic conditions.”
Sanjeev Vashishta, CEO of SRL Limited said, “We have to reach out to the masses. Diagnostics Services have to be provided to the citizens of the country closer to their homes and there is no reason for anybody to travel hundreds of miles to get quality health and diagnostics services, let alone leave Nigeria for the right tests and healthcare. Project Eagle Eye will endeavor to bring back the talented doctors, scientists, technologists who left the country by providing them with the opportunity to work on the high-end and contemporary technologies right here in Nigeria.”
Farid Fezoua, President and CEO of GE Healthcare Africa said: “At GE Healthcare, we believe that sustainable healthcare development requires a system-wide approach, combining technology, capacity-building, including training, service and maintenance, as well as long-term financing. To that end, this multi-disciplinary partnership between IFC, Echo Scan, SRL and GE aims to expand access to quality and affordable diagnostic imaging in the private sector and complements significant efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s growing health sector.
We look forward to working closely with our partners towards ensuring the long-term success of this venture to enable better outcomes for more Nigerian patients and in setting a new healthcare delivery model throughout Africa.” Good health makes it possible for people to work, study and care for their families, and expanding access to health services is a priority for development. IFC is the world’s largest multilateral investor in private healthcare, with nearly $3 billion worth of health investments in more than 50 countries over the past 15 years. IFC investments in service providers, pharmaceuticals and medical technology are aimed at promoting greater access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in developing countries.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.
The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.
The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.
The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.
According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.
It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.
The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.
It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.
Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.
It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.
The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.
The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.
General News
House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.
Tax Reform Acts
House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.
Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.
The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.
The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”
He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, has retained the distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels following the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership.
MultiChoice
The new deal, which spans several regions across Africa and Europe, covers the distribution of HBO Max as well as the renewal of selected Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels. It represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024,including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis. CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets. Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
According to the partners, the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent. “This agreement enables CANAL+ Group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offerings in African markets.”
The agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
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