E-Financial
AfDB, LAPO Microfinance Bank Sign Loan Agreement

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd. signed a loan agreement for Nigerian Naira 2.364 billion (approximately US $12 million) to support inclusive growth in Nigeria and also support local SMEs in the country.
LAPO MfB is the largest microfinance bank in Nigeria with 1.1 million clients and 327 branches currently operating in 26 out of 36 states in the country.
Given its history of a group-lending model based on a community-based approach, LAPO predominantly focuses on low-income households and women (with females comprising over 90% of its total client base) by providing an average loan size of USD 190.
The corporate AfDB loan will support a proposed expansion project of LAPO MfB to achieve its goal to serve 5 million clients by 2017 in Nigeria focusing on low-income individuals (predominantly women) and micro/small enterprises by providing affordable access to finance, saving, credit and insurance in urban and rural areas as well as by expanding its geographic coverage and number of branches.
With AfDB’s funding, multi-faceted development outcomes are expected for LAPO MfB to: (i) increase the proportion of poor households and small businesses with access to financial services in Nigeria; (ii) deepen its financial sector infrastructure, as it plans to expand their branch network across the country; (iii) promote an inclusive microfinance model that works for the poor; (vi) stimulate product development aimed at meeting diverse needs of low-income households and local enterprises including a soft loan scheme to provide clients a more convenient and safe lighting (solar power lanterns); (v) enhance financial inclusion of women and female entrepreneurs; and (vi) support increased revenue of poor households involved in profitable microenterprises and also generate more jobs across states in Nigeria.
In spite of its lower-income client base, LAPO’s total loan portfolio exceeded USD 200 million in December 2014 thanks to its efficient decentralized banking model as well as wide coverage and deep penetration of rural areas.
LAPO has successfully achieved its goal to reach over 1 million clients by end of 2013, faster than planned, and targets to reach 5 million clients by the end of its five-year business plan (2013-2017).
LAPO has 3,184 staff (1,311 men and 1,873 women staff) across 327 branches to prospect for new business and effectively serve its existing customers on the ground.
E-Financial
Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases ‘My Year on Kuda’ 2025 Financial Recap

Kuda Microfinance Bank has unveiled the 2025 edition of “My Year on Kuda,” its annual recap providing customers with personalised insights into their spending, saving, and money management habits from the previous year.

Kuda Microfinance Bank
The tool analyses transaction data across categories like transfers, card payments, online purchases, and bills, revealing patterns such as highest-spending months, biggest payments, saving frequency, and savings from Kuda’s 25 free monthly transfers. Customers can compare 2025 activity against 2024, including income versus expenditure.
In an era of inflation and economic uncertainty, the recap promotes financial literacy by highlighting responsible borrowing via Kuda Overdraft usage, including access frequency, amounts borrowed, and repayment patterns.
Customer-shared screenshots on X reflect national trends: Nigeria recorded over 2.2 billion electronic transactions worth ₦285 trillion in Q1 2025, up 20 percent year-on-year, with POS terminals driving the shift to cashless commerce.
Kuda Group CEO Babs Ogundeyi, in the recap’s opening video, urged users: “Before you carry on with January, this is the perfect time to see everything you did with your money on Kuda last year and learn something.”
The feature underscores Kuda’s focus on actionable insights to help Nigerians navigate evolving personal finance amid shifting earning and spending behaviours.
E-Financial
Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

Wema Bank has introduced SAW, a new AI voice assistant integrated into the ALAT 2.0 app, allowing customers to manage finances through natural voice commands similar to Siri, Bixby, or Alexa.

Wema Bank
SAW understands everyday language and delivers instant responses tailored to banking needs, such as checking account balances, transferring money, reviewing transactions, and accessing support.
This feature brings conversational banking to Nigerian users, eliminating complexity and enhancing accessibility.
The bank positions SAW as a pioneer in AI-powered financial services, aligning with global trends where millions interact daily with voice assistants for tasks like setting reminders or playing music.
ALAT 2.0 represents the next evolution in digital banking, making services more efficient, personal, and human-like for everyday Nigerians.
E-Financial
Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has fully repaid bondholders who validly tendered their notes ahead of the February 2026 maturity date.

The bank announced the successful completion of its tender offer, under which it prepaid approximately $245 million of its $300 million Eurobond, representing more than 80 per cent of the total issuance.
According to a statement, the transaction relates to the 7.125 per cent Senior Note Participation Notes due February 2026.
Ecobank Nigeria Limited said it launched a tender offer to eligible noteholders in respect of the outstanding $150 million on the bond on November 27, 2025, providing them with an opportunity to redeem their holdings ahead of the original maturity date of 16 February 2026.
It stated that the early and late tender participation deadlines were 11 December 2025 and 29 December 2025, respectively.
According to the bank, holders of notes validly tendered and accepted received a cash consideration of $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount, in addition to accrued interest from the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the final settlement date of 31 December 2025.
Following completion of the offer, the bank said the outstanding principal amount of the notes has been reduced to approximately $55.092 million.
The bank also stated that the initiative reflects Ecobank Nigeria’s proactive approach to liability management and prudent balance sheet optimisation.
The tender offer was conducted with Renaissance Capital Africa (Renaissance Securities Nigeria Limited) acting as financial adviser and dealer manager, while Sodali & Co Limited served as tender agent.
The notes were originally issued by EBN Finance Company B.V., with limited recourse to the issuer, for the sole purpose of financing the purchase of the $300 million 7.125 per cent Senior Note due 2026 issued by Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
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