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AfDB Inaugurates N1Bn Support for SMEs Development Through Fortis bank

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has inaugurated N1 billion loan through Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc to help boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development in the country.

Mr Ilan Wolkov, a Consultant with AfDB , said at the inauguration that the disbursement would be done through four branches of the bank in Abuja.

Wolkov, the Team Leader of Frankfurt School of Finance Management said,“this is the official opening of the pilot phase that we are setting up in four branches in Kubwa, Dei-Dei, Mararaba, and Utako’’.

“The fund is meant to specifically fund businesses of SMEs customers, and what is important today is that we are officially signing our first Fortis/ AfDB pilot client under this scheme.

“We believe that funds will greatly increase customer’s experience with possibly larger loans with its flexible conditions for collateral and guarantees,’’

It would be recalled that AfDB and Fortis Micro Finance Bank Plc had in Sept. 2016 signed an agreement for a one billion naira credit facility for onward lending to SMEs operators in the country.

The partnership was meant to boost Nigeria’s private sector development through the financing of projects that are strategically aligned to the country’s development agenda.

Also speaking, Mr Adewale Aderounmu, the Executive Director, Development Finance of Fortis reiterated that the fund was to primarily support the development of small businesses in the country.

According to Aderounmu, small businesses are the engine of growth for any economic development both in developing countries and even the developed world.

“So, the AFDB in support of the SME sector in Nigeria evaluated the bank and deemed it viable to partner with us as our developing partner in developing the SMEs sector in Nigeria.

“Up till now, more than 600 customers have benefited from the AfDB loan and after this event, we still expect to disburse a number of additional loans under the SMEs funding from AfDB.’’

On criteria for accessing the fund, Aderounmu said the applicant must already be in business as the fund was not meant for startup but for business owners to take their businesses to the next level.

He noted that the facility was open to both already existing and new customers of the bank.

According to him, the bank has assigned officers who not only market the loan to customers but also ensure that the loans are paid back as at when due.

He said the loan officer or relationship manager as they were being called, were attached to every loan beneficiary to continuously engage the customers to ensure continuity of the business relationship.

A beneficiary of the facility, Mrs Nkiru Nwabueze commended the management of Fortis bank for the good work they had been doing over the years in assisting small businesses in the country.

Nwabueze expressed delight at the facility she was given and urged other customers to develop the culture of borrowing money and paying back when due.

“We should be more honest in doing business with the banks as they are willing to give loans and we need to develop the culture of paying back loans as it is the only way to grow the economy.’’


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E-Financial

Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases ‘My Year on Kuda’ 2025 Financial Recap

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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 Releases 'My Year on Kuda' 2025 Financial Recap

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.


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Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

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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 Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

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.


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Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

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

Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

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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