E-Financial
EchoVC Tips Innovation Fund as Disruptive Strategy For Job Creation

EchoVC Pan-African Investments Nigeria Limited, has advocated for the Federal Government to consider injecting more innovation funds in the ICT as catalysts for job creation, economic recovery and growth.
The firm makes investments of $25K-$1.5m per startup with a goal of making 40-50 investments throughout the life of a particular fund,
Eghosa Omoigui, managing partner, EchoVC, gave the advise while addressing journalists on the venture capital firm’s strategy that underpins a disruptive approach to building startup businesses.
He said that the Company is focused on technologies that support the ‘99% bulge’ of underserved populations.
‘Our investments are targeted at high-growth services and scalable products in select markets, with distinct and sustainable competitive advantages, all of which affect daily life and provide essential services in large growing markets,’ he said, listing specific technology sectors of interest to the Firm to include: consumer internet and services, data, mobile, social, digital, media, content, and advertising, electronic/mobile-commerce, software, linguistics, gaming, among others.
In 2012, a national recruitment in search for an independent institution that will act as Fund Manager with the responsibility of overseeing fund-raising, deal sourcing, evaluation and execution, technology business incubation, portfolio management for the ICT sector of the country saw the birth of EchoVc as the pioneering fund manager behalf of the federal government.
As part of the her $50million target fund 1, EchoVC is also the sole manager of the Federal Government\’s pioneering innovation fund, a $10million commitment from the Federal Government to make seed and early-stage investments in high-growth technology startups, where existing investors are a mix of domestic and foreign institutional investors and asset managers.
Omoigu said that aside making investing on four startups in 2015, they anticipate making up to 10 seed-stage investments in 2016.
He however urged technology startups in the country to channel their incubation skills toward economic viable solutions that will avail them international investors capital and seed funding dedicated by the federal government.
“See, there is need for more Nigerians to come up through referral scheme to access the $10million ICT fund for tech startup companies. You should know that there is a forecast of net job growth impact of not less than 35,000 jobs in 2016 through the ICT and this is achievable…,” Omoigu said.
He added that the fund for Information Communication Technology (ICT) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) worth $10million made available by the immediate past Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) can still be leveraged by businesses to deepen their growth after passing through mentorship programmes.
The Managing Partner described EchoVC Partners as an experienced seed and early stage technology-focused Lagos based venture capital firm that seeks ‘to capitalized on Nigeria’s burgeoning period of growth in technology innovation by investing in next generation companies that will lead the technology renaissance across the continent as the fund will also provide investment opportunities in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia starting from Nigeria.”
Speaking specifically on their plans, he said, ‘EchoVC plans to fill the seed and early stage financing gap by producing mentorship and institutional angel funding to promising entrepreneurs and co-developing and stimulating the existing local angel community; co-invest in first institutional financings of emerging market technology companies with traction and deliver value-add with formal knowledge transfer frameworks that cross-pollinate US/Asia/Africa-based entrepreneurial insight’.
He added that they will work with portfolio companies to enhance enterprise value and exit value.
E-Financial
Africa Prudential Launches Sabivest to Boost Digital Investment Access

Africa Prudential Plc has launched Sabivest, a digital shareholder and investment management application, as part of efforts to deepen access to investment opportunities and enhance transparency in Nigeria’s capital market.

Unveiled in Lagos, the platform is designed to provide investors with a centralised system for managing shareholdings and tracking portfolio performance across multiple investment products.
At the launch, the Chairperson of Africa Prudential Plc, Christabel Onyejekwe, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging innovation to improve investor experience and participation.
“Sabivest provides a unified ecosystem that enables individuals and institutions to seamlessly access, monitor and grow diversified financial assets through a single interface,” she said, describing the platform as a significant step in advancing digital transformation within the capital market.
The Managing Director, Catherine Nwosu, noted that the application, which is available for download on both iOS and Android platforms, was developed to address structural challenges that have continued to limit investor efficiency, including fragmented investment accounts, restricted access to diverse financial instruments, and inadequate visibility into portfolio performance.
According to her, the platform aggregates multiple investment services, offering users real-time insights and control through a centralised dashboard.
She added that Sabivest features consolidated portfolio views, performance tracking, asset allocation insights, and electronic dividend management, alongside tools for monitoring, documenting, and recovering unclaimed dividends.
The launch also featured a roundtable session themed, “Building Trust and Driving Innovation in Nigeria’s Capital Market,” where stakeholders emphasised the importance of technology-driven solutions in strengthening investor confidence and expanding market participation.
E-Financial
Transcorp Excites Shareholders with ₦20.3 Billion Dividend @20th AGM

Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp Group” or the “Company”) (NGX: TRANSCORP), Africa’s leading listed conglomerate with strategic investments in power, hospitality and energy, has declared a total dividend of ₦20,323,995,148, representing ₦2.00 per share to its shareholders, at its 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the new state-of-the-art Transcorp Centre Abuja.

Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR; President/Group CEO,, Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON; and Company Secretary, Ms. Atinuke Kolade, during the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Transnational Corporation Plc( Transcorp Group) held in Abuja at the weekend
The total dividend comprises an interim dividend payment of ₦4,064,799.030, representing 40 kobo per share, paid in August 2025, together with a final dividend of ₦16,259,196,118, equivalent to ₦1.60 per share.
At the AGM, where the shareholders approved the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Group Chairman of Transcorp Plc, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, restated the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable long-term value creation as shareholders commended the conglomerate and its management for sustained performance.
In 2025, the Group, with a combined market capitalisation of ₦4.78 trillion ($3.52 billion) as of May 7, 2026, recorded strong year-on-year growth across all key metrics. Revenue increased by 33% to ₦544 billion (FY 2024: ₦408 billion). Profit Before Tax rose 31% to ₦179.5 billion (FY 2024: ₦136.7 billion), while Profit After Tax surged 44% to ₦135.9 billion (FY 2024: ₦94.1 billion)
Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR; President/Group CEO,, Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON; and Company Secretary, Ms. Atinuke Kolade, during the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Transnational Corporation Plc( Transcorp Group) held in Abuja at the weekend
Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Group Chairman, Transnational Corporation Plc said: “Transcorp Group remains firmly focused on strong corporate governance and the disciplined execution of its strategic priorities to deliver sustainable, long-term value. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the Group continues to benefit from its diversified portfolio, which has underpinned resilient financial performance in 2025.
Mrs. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON, President/Group CEO, Transnational Corporation Plc said: “FY 2025 was a year defined by disciplined execution, strategic resolve, and resilient performance. Transcorp Group is committed to resolving the energy crisis in Nigeria; we have an energy situation, and the gap between the demand and supply is still very wide. Hence, we will continue to work assiduously and tirelessly towards bridging that gap, creating value for the wider country.
In our hospitality business, the 5,000-seat capacity Transcorp Centre hosting us today is a testament to our disciplined execution, and you will see more in the coming years.
While commenting on the performance, one of the shareholders, Mrs E. O. Obideyi, commended the management of Transcorp Group, saying, “I commend the management and staff of Transcorp for sustained performance year-on-year. While we appreciate the Board, I am also extending my commendation to the members of staff of Transcorp for a job well done.”
Another Shareholder, Mr Moses Igrude, commended the Board, Management and Staff of Transcorp Plc. He said: “I appreciate the vision behind Transcorp and what it has become. When I look at the history, and how far it has come under Mr Tony Elumelu’s leadership, I am proud that the aim and objectives are being achieved. That payoff line, ‘Improving lives and transforming Africa,’ is a reality we are witnessing.
Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) is one of Africa’s leading listed conglomerates, with strategic investments in power, hospitality and energy, driven by its mission to improve lives and transform Africa.
The Group’s power businesses — Transcorp Power Plc and Transafam Power — provide over 20% of Nigeria’s installed power capacity. Transcorp is also advancing Nigeria’s domestic energy value chain through its investment in OPL281. Its hospitality subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels Plc, owns the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the landmark Transcorp Centre Abuja.
E-Financial
IMF Fears AI-Powered Cyberattack Could Spark Global Financial Crisis

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly increasing the danger of cyberattacks on the global financial system.

Pic credit… saturnpartners
According to a blog post from the IMF, these AI-driven threats could turn isolated security breaches into severe economic disruptions, potentially freezing payments, shaking markets, and undermining public trust in banks worldwide.
In its analysis, the fund highlighted a specific example involving the controlled release of an advanced AI model called Claude Mythos Preview by Anthropic.
The IMF noted that this model demonstrated the ability to identify and exploit weaknesses in all major operating systems and web browsers, even when used by individuals without specialized expertise.
The IMF cautioned that AI could heighten risk concentration within the financial system.
A single exploited vulnerability might cascade across numerous institutions simultaneously due to heavy reliance on a limited number of cloud providers, software platforms, and AI models.
Such events could escalate from operational issues to macro-financial shocks, triggering confidence crises, liquidity problems, and fire-sale dynamics in markets. The organization also acknowledged that AI forms part of the solution.
As attackers operate at machine speed, financial institutions are deploying their own AI-assisted tools for threat detection, fraud prevention, and faster incident response.
The IMF highlighted a geopolitical dimension to the threat, noting that cyber risk crosses national borders and that inconsistent oversight among countries could weaken the globally interconnected financial system.
Emerging economies, often with limited resources, may face disproportionate exposure.
The fund urged policymakers to treat cybersecurity as a core financial stability concern rather than a technical or operational matter.
It called for prioritization of resilience standards, systemic supervision, and international coordination to contain breaches before they spread.
E-Financial3 days agoIMF Fears AI-Powered Cyberattack Could Spark Global Financial Crisis
Telecom3 days agoATCON Seeks Stiffer Penalities to Deter Infrastructure Attacks, Vandalism
E-Business3 days agoCPN Begins Crackdown on Quack IT Professionals, Vows Tougher Action against Cybercrime
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Profits Hit $813m on Strong Nigerian Operations Performance
Telecom3 days agoUnity Bank Disburses N500m Loan Facility to Support Small Traders
E-Financial3 days agoMasterCard, BMONI Partner to Improve Digital Payments
General News3 days agoFG Says It May Reject World Bank Loans over Delays
E-Financial3 days agoFidelity Bank Provides Critical Funding Support to Abuja Special Needs Orphanage













