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AfDB Launches e-Consultation on its New Governance Strategy
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a Web consultation on its new Governance Strategy for 2014-2018 aimed at receiving feedback from all its stakeholders on their expectations on the Bank’s future governance interventions.
“The vision of AfDB is that Africa is governed by transparent, accountable and responsive governments with strong institutions that are capable of driving inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Lobe Ndoumbe, Governance and Financial management director, at the launch of the web consultation.
AfDB’s new governance strategy is based on the AfDB Group’s Strategy for 2013-2022 in which governance and accountability are among the core operational priorities, to be mainstreamed across the Bank.
Through its web consultation, AfDB seeks to inform all stakeholders on its proposed governance strategic directions for 2014-2018 and to receive feedback on their expectations on its future governance interventions.
“We welcome feedback on whether our “Governance Strategic Direction and Action Plan for 2014-2018” (GAP II) identifies the key governance challenges confronting Africa and whether the three proposed strategic pillars and associated operational activities will be adequate to address them”, said Patricia Laverley, GAP II task manager.
Moreover, the AfDB Group encourages stakeholders to suggest ways in which GAP II can better complement and reinforce the governance work of other development partners in Africa and how they can work together to leverage additional resources for the continent’s development.
AfDB’s “Governance Strategic Direction and Action Plan 2014-2018” (GAP II) is built on three objectives. It seeks to strengthen governments’ capacity for transparent and accountable use of public resources and citizens’ ability to hold governments to account.
It also seeks to improve outcomes in the sectors and citizen’s ability to monitor them. It also aims at promoting a business enabling environment which supports Africa’s socio-economic transformation, job creation and financial inclusion. The fight against corruption in both the public and private sectors will prevail in all its operations.
Going forward, AfDB’s governance work will build on the achievements of its first “Governance Strategic Direction and Action Plan (GAP I)” for 2008-2012.
GAP II will deepen AfDB’s support to public financial management and business environment. It will also increase its support to the governance of key sectors such as natural resource management and infrastructure.
Moreover, during 2014-2018, GAP II will deepen AfDB’s diagnostic works to improve programming and policy dialogue for greater impact and delivery of results.
The “Governance Strategic Direction and Action Plan 2008-2012” (GAP I) provided the overall direction for the AfDB’s governance work in African countries. The core areas of focus were on public financial management and business environment, implemented at country, sector and regional levels.
In countries where AfDB Group provided support, most governance indicators showed improvements.
According to the “Development Effectiveness Review on Governance”, published in 2012, across the 14 countries where the African Development Bank has invested in revenue systems, tax revenue has risen dramatically, from 10.5% to 14.7% of GDP, while tax rates for business have declined, from 94% of commercial profits to 54%.
The results flagged in the “Development Effectiveness Review on Governance” also suggest major improvements in the business environment as a result of the Bank’s assistance.
Across the 18 countries where the Bank is providing this support, the time required to start a business reduced from 43 days in 2005 to only 23 days in 2011.
The time devoted by business to the payment of taxes reduced by 10% to 254 hours per year, while the average time required enforcing a contract fell by 50 days.
These business friendly measures are part of the reason why net foreign direct investment has increased substantially from 4% to 6% of GDP across these countries; although a buoyant natural resource sector has also contributed.
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Ina Alogwu Joins 9mobile as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer
9mobile has appointed Ina Alogwu as its new Chief Digital and Innovation Officer (CDIO), marking another significant step in the company’s business transformation agenda.
In his new role, Alogwu will be responsible for guiding the development and execution of 9mobile’s long-term strategy across the entire digital and technology ecosystem, including new technologies, digital platforms, and business models while nurturing a culture of innovation within the organization.
His appointment demonstrates 9mobile’s firm commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing its innovative capabilities to better serve customers and stay ahead of market trends.
Alogwu is a visionary leader and seasoned strategist with nearly two decades of transformative experience in digital commerce, mobile payments, and technology ecosystems, making him an invaluable addition to 9mobile’s leadership team.
He has a proven ability to identify emerging trends and harness them to develop and execute groundbreaking digital products and strategies. His expertise spans product innovation, data strategy implementation, and agile business transformations, all of which have delivered significant and sustainable results across diverse industries and regions.
He joins 9mobile from ARM Holding Company, Nigeria, where he was the Group Director, Digital Transformation and spearheaded innovation initiatives, implemented a robust data strategy, and managed venture-building programmes that supported numerous African tech startups.
His very distinguished and diverse professional journey also includes an impactful tenure at Interswitch Limited, where he held roles such as Group Head, Verve Digital, and Group Head, Payment Processing. In these roles, he led the creation of groundbreaking payment platforms and digital solutions across West and East Africa.
Earlier in his career, Alogwu held roles at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a Training Specialist and worked at Integrated Business Strategies as a Business Analyst.
Speaking about the appointment, 9mobile CEO Obafemi Banigbe expressed confidence in Alogwu’s ability to lead the company’s innovation efforts, saying, “Alogwu’s broad professional background makes him the perfect fit for our innovative and business transformation journey as he joins a team of recently appointed senior business leaders to drive this process and the next phase of our growth.
“His role is crucial for navigating today’s fast-paced digital environment. And he has been entrusted to lead the charge in harnessing new technologies, driving digital transformation, and ensuring the company remains adaptable to change, which is integral to fostering innovation and positioning 9mobile as a forward-thinking leader in its industry.”
The New CDIO said, “I’m delighted to join 9mobile and collaborate with the CEO and the leadership team on the innovative initiatives already in progress.
As we navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape, I’m eager to leverage my expertise in digital strategy, technology, and innovation to drive 9mobile’s mission to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve our strategic objectives.”
Alogwu’s academic credentials further underline his readiness for this role. He holds an Executive Master’s in Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership from IE Business School, Madrid, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus Institute, in collaboration with MIT and Columbia Business School.
He also completed the Senior Management Program at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, and earned a BSc. in Geology & Mining from the University of Jos, Nigeria.
His education is further enriched by certifications in Product Management, Lean Six Sigma, and Strategic Innovation, equipping him with a robust foundation to drive innovation, lead digital transformation, and achieve business excellence in competitive landscapes.
His ability to combine academic knowledge with practical expertise has positioned him as a trailblazer in the digital commerce and technology sectors.
Beyond his technical expertise, Alogwu is adept at cultivating and managing strategic relationships with global multilateral organizations and financial institutions, leveraging these partnerships to unlock profitable opportunities. He has consistently demonstrated excellence in leading multicultural teams and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments to deliver transformative outcomes.
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NAICOM Signs Agreement with NDPC on Data Protection in Insurance Sector
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has signed agreement with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) with the aim of enhancing data protection within the insurance sector.
According to NAICOM, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has as its objectives training and capacity building in the area of providing training to enhance awareness and skills in data protection, establishing privacy clinics by setting up specialised clinics to address data protection concerns and provide guidance.
NAICOM said other objectives of the agreement include conducting compliance activities, regularly monitoring and enforcing compliance with data protection regulations, promoting awareness in the area of educating insurance companies on the importance of data protection and the benefits of adhering to best practices.
Developing data protection guidelines through creation of specialized guidelines for insurance institutions to ensure they are equipped to handle data protection responsibilities effectively.
NAICOM said the collaboration marked a significant milestone in safeguarding the personal data of insurance policyholders and promoting trust in the insurance sector.
The commission said to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement, an implementation committee would be established. The committee, the commission said, would comprise of representatives from the two agencies, as well as other key industry associations, including the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
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5 Benefits of MTN Mobile Ads for your Business
Businesses worldwide are increasingly embracing mobile advertising services, allowing them to connect with potential customers directly on their smartphones and engage with them more effectively.
This trend is rapidly gaining momentum, and companies in Nigeria are also taking part in this shift.
Every day, more Nigerian businesses are seeking the most efficient strategies to reach their target audiences and convert them into loyal customers.
MTN Nigeria is redefining digital advertisement with MTN Mobile Ads. With a rich customer base of 79.5 million subscribers in Nigeria, MTN Mobile Ads continues to help businesses reach millions of customers nationwide.
Here are five reasons you should use MTN Mobile Ads for your business advertisements:
Targeted marketing
MTN Mobile Ads uses first party data to enable specific targeting of audience based on behaviour, interests and demographic. This ensures that your marketing efforts are directed toward the most relevant audiences, thereby increasing engagement and conversion.
Data-Driven Insights:
Businesses can gain valuable insights from their advertising campaigns, allowing them to fine-tune their strategies for maximum impact. This data-driven approach helps in optimizing campaigns based on real user behaviour and preferences
Diverse advertising formats
This service supports several advertising formats including targeted SMS, marketplace listing on the MyMTN app, display banners, and Rich messaging services (RCS) across both mobile and web platforms. This versatility allows your business to customize your marketing strategy to suit different audience preferences and increase engagement opportunities.
Data-free solutions
MTN Mobile Advertising provides data-free solutions. That means users can view your Ads with or without data. This feature significantly increases engagement rate as it allows your business connect with customers who may have been avoiding ads to save their data.
Cost-effective
With MTN Mobile Ads, you can choose an advertising plan that suits your budget. This flexibility allows businesses to enjoy the benefits of advertising without overspending.
As competition in businesses increase, the need to make advertising a crucial part of your marketing strategy cannot be over-emphasized.
MTN’s Mobile advertising services are the most result-oriented strategy your business should engage in so you can have the same opportunities your competitors may have.
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