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E-Financial

AfDB, NDF, Others Partner in $55million Investment into Off-Grid Energy Access Fund

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The African Development Bank’s Board approved a US $30-million investment in the Facility for Energy Inclusion Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (“FEI OGEF”). This follows the approval of additional investments of US $10 million from Calvert Impact Capital (CIC), US $8.5 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and €6 million from the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). In addition, the NDF will provide a €0.5-million grant for technical assistance to support deal structuring and capacity development.

FEI OGEF is a US $100-million blended finance debt fund designed to provide loans in local and hard currencies to off-grid energy companies with the dual objectives of scaling up access to clean electricity for off-grid households and crowding in local financial institutions as co-lenders. The Fund directly supports the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa and is part of its “High 5” priority to light up and power the continent, with an aspirational target of connecting 75 million households through off-grid energy access solutions by 2025. Through the use of clean energy instead of fossil fuels to power communities, the Fund is expected to result in the reduction of up to 8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime.

Over 600 million people are estimated to lack access to modern energy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“FEI OGEF is the first Bank instrument that enables debt financing, including in local currency, to off-grid energy access companies who need growth capital to expand their operations across Africa. The strong collaboration of the Bank, SEFA and NDF in preparing and creating this fund, and the co-investment by the GEF and CIC, demonstrate the power of partnerships for clean energy access in Africa,” said Astrid Manroth, Director, Transformative Energy Partnerships at the African Development Bank.

The combination of these four first investments brings this innovative fund closer to its first close target to be achieved in the first quarter of 2018 and provides a strong signal to the community of interested investors. In particular, the approvals will provide comfort for dedicated private-sector investors to join FEI OGEF.

The Fund is a first mover matching local currency debt instruments with recent innovations in off-grid energy business models to scale up energy access for underserved and rural households. It provides a blended capital structure whereby investments in equity provides comfort and risk cushioning to attract early participation and additional investment by development finance institutions and other commercial investors.

During a recent visit to the Bank headquarters in Abidjan, NDF’s Managing Director Pasi Hellman said, “This initiative highlights the close and constructive working relationship between NDF and the AfDB. We have been in lock step throughout the preparation and development cycle of the Fund. Now we have a fully packaged investment vehicle to bring to market scaling up proven clean off-grid energy solutions to the energy access challenge on the continent.”

The Fund will be managed by Lion’s Head Global Partners operating out of offices in Nairobi, Lagos and London, with an initial focus on East Africa as well as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria, and looking to build a strong pipeline of transactions throughout the region. The pioneering Fund will unlock and catalyse financial sector and local currency participation in this growing green finance opportunity.

“The GEF is pleased to be a partner in this innovative blended finance facility which is part of GEF’s strategic priority to “crowd-in” private sector investment to help countries meet their environmental and sustainability goals,” said Gustavo Fonseca, Director of Programs at the Global Environment Facility.

“OGEF squarely fits within our investment mandate of leveraging public capital at scale to create systemic change in sectors and geographies that have been overlooked by mainstream capital markets. We are excited to work with the AfDB and the other investors to scale this facility and increase access to clean electricity for off-grid households in Africa,” said Jenn Pryce, President and CEO of Calvert Impact Capital.

The Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI) is the Bank’s flagship initiative for providing long-term finance to small-scale renewable energy access projects, of which FEI OGEF is one of the financing windows. FEI has been developed with grant support from the Bank-hosted Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).


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E-Financial

Sterling Bank Pledges ₦2bn to Fully Fund University Scholarships

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Sterling Bank has launched a ₦2 billion scholarship initiative to support Nigerian students in private universities. The program, Beyond Education, was unveiled on Democracy Day and aims to remove financial barriers to higher learning.

The bank will fully sponsor 600 students from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT to study Technology, Finance, Sales, and Public Health at Miva University, founded by Sim Shagaya. The selection process is merit-based, with candidates nominated by themselves or others, and final selection determined through public voting open to Sterling account holders.

Sterling Bank’s CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s future, aligning with the bank’s commitment to Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. The bank has already deployed over half a trillion naira in financing across these sectors.

According to Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive at Sterling Bank, the program is about creating opportunities beyond education. The bank is shifting from short-term philanthropy to long-term ecosystem development, with investments in digitized healthcare, school financing, agricultural cooperatives, solar energy, and transport systems.

“Nigeria’s progress requires action,” Suleiman said. “We are funding the future architects of the country—those who will build the businesses, institutions, and innovations needed for national prosperity.”

Nominations for the Beyond Education scholarships are now open at www.sterling.ng/FUTURE. The initiative sets a precedent for private-sector-driven education investment, where success is measured not just in profit, but in people empowered.


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E-Financial

FG to Train 100,000 Youths Annually in Forex Trading and Financial Skills

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Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Investonaire Academy to train 100,000 young Nigerians annually in forex trading, financial planning, and risk management.

The agreement, signed in Abuja, was announced by Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. According to her, the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce youth unemployment and enhance financial inclusion.

At the signing ceremony, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the partnership as a milestone in the ministry’s efforts to equip young Nigerians with practical financial skills. He emphasized that the programme would foster critical thinking, improve digital literacy, and expand access to global economic opportunities.

Speaking on the collaboration, Dr. Enefola Odiba, International Programme Director at Investonaire Academy, highlighted the importance of empowering youth with relevant financial and digital skills. He described young people as essential drivers of innovation and national development.

The ministry assured that the programme would be implemented with transparency and measurable outcomes, ensuring that participants gain practical expertise in forex trading and financial planning.

The Federal Government has recently intensified efforts to boost skill development across various sectors. A separate plan aims to train 100,000 artisans nationwide, following the successful upskilling of 29,000 individuals in previous phases. This initiative seeks to professionalize vocational trades, eliminate quackery, and introduce licensing systems.

Additionally, technicians from specialized institutions will receive industry-standard training to strengthen Nigeria’s labor force and increase self-reliance in skilled professions.

Through these efforts, the government hopes to position Nigerian youth for economic success both locally and globally.


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E-Financial

NDIC Begins Final Settlements to Creditors of Liquidated Premier Bank

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Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has begun the final phase of liquidation for the defunct Premier Commercial Bank, initiating the payment of liquidation dividends to verified creditors, nearly 25 years after the bank’s closure.

NDIC Begins Final Settlements to Creditors of Liquidated Premier Bank

Premier Commercial Bank had its operating license revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on December 20, 2000, following findings of financial instability and regulatory non-compliance.

Since then, the NDIC has overseen the bank’s liquidation process under a winding-up order from the Federal High Court, which designated the corporation as the official liquidator.

In a public announcement, the NDIC invited all eligible creditors to visit any of its zonal offices between June 2 and June 27, 2025, to verify and claim their entitlements.

This move marks a critical milestone in the final settlement of claims related to the bank’s collapse.

To facilitate the verification process, creditors are required to present proof of deposit or shareholding, such as a passbook, chequebook, term deposit certificate, or bank statement.

Additionally, valid identification documents must be submitted, including a driver’s license, international passport, national identity card, NIN slip/card, voter’s card, or a formal identification letter from a traditional ruler or local government chairman.

The NDIC assured the public that the ongoing settlement is part of a broader effort to bring closure to longstanding claims resulting from Premier Commercial Bank’s liquidation. The process, according to the corporation, has been designed to ensure efficient disbursement to all verified stakeholders.

Premier Commercial Bank is one of 53 deposit money banks whose licenses were revoked by the CBN between 1994 and 2018 due to various violations and signs of financial distress.

These closures were followed by legal procedures appointing the NDIC to manage asset recoveries and creditor settlements.

By initiating this final phase of payment, the NDIC is reaffirming its commitment to financial system stability and depositor protection while calling on all affected individuals and institutions to complete verification processes promptly to receive their due compensation.


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