News
Mastercard’s Raghu Malhotra, appointed to U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa
Raghu Malhotra, President of Mastercard Middle East and Africa, has been appointed to the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA).
The PAC-DBIA is an important forum for dialogue between the U.S. public and private sector, and advises the President on ways to strengthen commercial engagement between the U.S. and Africa.
The appointment was announced at the Corporate Council on Africa U.S.-Africa Business Summit on Wednesday in Maputo, Mozambique.
Malhotra will serve a two-year term on the PAC-DBIA, and joins other private sector leaders on the council.
In his advisory role, he will draw on his expertise and understanding of African markets, where he has led Mastercard’s transition to being a pioneer in bringing new electronic payment solutions and services to the continent, helping to advance social progress and inclusive growth.
Malhotra, said: “I am deeply honored to be selected to serve on the PAC-DBIA, and support its mission to help bridge the gap between the U.S. and African public and private sectors.
“Africa is home to 54 countries, each at different stages of development, and is well-positioned for tremendous socio-economic growth.
“Both Mastercard and PAC-DBIA share a commitment to advance opportunities across the continent, and use technology to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future by unlocking its immense economic potential.”
Malhotra holds a number of board and advisory positions across international markets. He sits on the board of directors of both the US-Africa Business Center (part of the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington) and INJAZ (Junior Achievement Worldwide).
He also sits as an observer on the board of directors for Network International, a company publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the World Economic Forum Africa Business Council.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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