General News
AFEX Launches FETC Product on New Digital Trading Platform

Africa’s commodities player, AFEX, has launched Africa Exchange, a digital platform for trading commodities. The platform follows AFEX’s first foray into digital commodities trading with the launch of ComX in 2020.
This new trading platform further transforms the commodities space in Africa by enabling commodities market players to meet and interact both in the physical and financial markets. Data and information crucial to decision-making are readily available on the platform, offering a comprehensive and informed trading experience.
Africa Exchange provides a structured marketplace duly regulated by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ensuring that users can participate in various trade or investment opportunities.
Africa Exchange will replace ComX, which has served over 80,000 investors in Nigeria and facilitated trades worth over USD 200 million since it was launched in 2020. The transition further bolsters AFEX’s mission of facilitating wealth creation for a new generation of Africans by providing them with alternative investment options to enrich their existing portfolios.
Additionally, AFEX aims to enhance intra-African trade by strengthening commodities trading within Africa and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Agreement’s (AFCFTA) mission to improve regional trade integration to boost economic development and food security across the continent.
Presently, only 14.4% of Africa’s exports come from trade between African countries. However, the AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade by approximately 33% and reduce the continent’s trade deficit by 51%, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 5, 8, and 12, the launch of Africa Exchange is a significant milestone towards achieving the AfCFTA. The platform promotes fair market prices that help farmers earn more and increase food production. It also enables investors to diversify their portfolios while supporting the financing of the food ecosystem.
Commenting on the launch, Akinyinka Akintunde, CEO and President of AFEX Nigeria, said: “As a team, we are excited and proud to launch Africa Exchange as another step in building the digital infrastructure to facilitate trade across Africa. With this launch, our goal is to boost the commodities market in Africa and allow more investors to participate with all the information that they need at their fingertips”.
He continues, “Commodities have been high-performing assets in recent years; in 2021, commodities were the third highest performing asset class, averaging about 37.1% in returns, while stocks averaged about 36.9%.
The commodities market has grown in sophistication over the years with the likes of commodity brokers and other institutional players making their mark and creating opportunities for trading. With Africa Exchange, we are opening the African commodities ecosystem to more investors and players.
Through the platform, users can directly trade physical commodities or invest in commodity-backed financial instruments.”
Alongside the platform launch, AFEX is also reintroducing its innovative Fair Trade ETC (FETC) product. The FETC is a commodity bundle in one contract designed to provide investors with exposure to the market in a way that maximizes the risk-return balance of the underlying commodities.
The instrument has a maturity period of 270 days and historically significant returns, with both tranches in 2022 returning 31% and 20%, respectively. The FETC is set to open on the Africa Exchange platform on the 1st of December at a unit price of just N1000, and for the first time in the product’s history, it will be tradeable within the tenor period, after a 120-day hold.
Funto Olasemo, Vice President, Financial Markets at AFEX, said, ‘For the last 8 months, we have been focused on improving our core infrastructure and delivering a better digital interface for commodities trading and investment on the continent. We have continued to also pursue product innovation, and the new tranche of our FETC product is a great example of that.”
“The FETC has been a hugely successful product since we introduced it in 2020, and we have structured a tradeable component into this tranche, giving investors even more freedom as they build wealth. The team is excited that we are facilitating wealth creation for a new generation of Africans by providing them with alternative investment options to enrich their portfolios.”
AFEX is committed to improving intra-African trade. To achieve this goal, the company has been bullish in pursuing its strategic Pan-African expansion plan since expanding into Kenya and Uganda in 2021 and 2022.
AFEX is set to expand to six other African countries within the next few years with the aim of promoting efficient trade in commodities across the continent while supporting the objectives of the AFCFTA to boost regional trade integration.
General News
FG to Launch Fully Digital Expatriate Residence Permit Application Portal August 1

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the rollout of a fully digital application system for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC).
The new online portal, https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, will become the exclusive platform for submitting CERPAC applications from August 1, 2025.
According to NIS, the digital migration is part of the Federal Government’s broader initiative to reform the immigration system by promoting transparency, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the overall user experience for expatriates and organizations interacting with the Service.
In a press statement signed by A.S Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, the NIS disclosed that manual or physical CERPAC forms will be completely phased out by July 31, 2025.
It noted that after this date, all applications must be submitted exclusively through the online portal.
The Service has advised applicants who have paid for physical forms but are yet to complete the submission process to do so on or before July 31, 2025, warning that any unsubmitted applications after the deadline will be deemed invalid, and associated payments may be forfeited.
Companies and individuals assuming Immigration Responsibility (IR) for expatriates have also been urged to ensure that all outstanding applications are finalized within the stipulated timeframe, to avoid potential delays or administrative setbacks.
“This digital transition marks a critical milestone in our effort to simplify processes and serve the public better,” the statement reads.
The NIS urged members of the public to direct all inquiries and correspondence regarding the new digital process to the office of the Public Relations Officer at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.
General News
Moniepoint Named Among World’s Top Fintechs by CNBC


Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike
Moniepoint joins a select group of leading fintech players recognised for their financial performance and success across 2023-4. The list – compiled by CNBC in conjunction with market research firm Statista – follows analysis of key performance indicators, such as revenue growth, transaction volume, employee headcount, and capital raised. The result is a diverse group of 250 trailblazing fintech companies.
Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint (formerly known as TeamApt Inc.) has been instrumental in advancing financial inclusion across Africa – especially for individuals and businesses operating in the informal economy, underserved by formal and traditional institutions.
The Company services 10 million+ customers through its comprehensive, integrated ecosystem of digital banking, credit, payments, and business management tools, and processes over one billion transactions monthly with volumes exceeding US$22 billion.
The accolade follows recent milestones for the Company which reiterate Moniepoint’s commitment to innovation and widening access to the formal financial system.
Notably, Moniepoint expanded its offering to Africans in the international diaspora via the launch of the MonieWorld platform. MonieWorld offers seamless remittance and digital financial services capabilities to individuals in markets such as the UK; the first time the Company has provided services to consumers outside Africa.
In June, Moniepoint was named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025, highlighting the Company’s extraordinary impact. Moniepoint has also been recognised by the Financial Times for three consecutive years as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, reflecting its remarkable revenue growth and business expansion; and by CB Insights in the Fintech 100 list, highlighting the Company’s status as one of the world’s most promising private fintech companies.
Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said: “It is an honour to be named as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC. Moniepoint’s inclusion in this prestigious, authoritative list is testament to the hard-work and success of the entire team while highlighting our emergence as a key player shaping the future of fintech worldwide.
“Our mission to power the dreams of millions of African entrepreneurs and businesses continues to propel us forward with renewed vigor. As we continue to scale, we remain committed to driving global financial inclusion and widening access to economic opportunities for Africans everywhere – transforming lives and livelihoods.”
CNBC’s list of the world’s top fintech companies was launched in 2023 to identify global market leaders in technology-driven financial services. The list, which includes companies operating across various regions and market categories including banking solutions, digital assets, and payments, highlights the dynamic and rapidly evolving FinTech industry, offering readers, investors, and stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the leading players across various segments.
General News
Wema Bank Plans N2M Grant to Empower Women

Innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, Wema Bank, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment by partnering with the SheCan Conference for the fifth consecutive year.
The collaboration has announced it would empower women with N2 million grant during the 6th edition of SheCan 6.0. conference, that will be held on July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
The event is expected to host over 7,000 women under the theme “SheCan Do More.”
Announcing this partnership, Wema Bank through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, said it will be awarding ₦2 million in business grants to support women entrepreneurs within the SARA Community.
This grant is to support small and medium businesses within the SARA Community to scale up their business.
Ayodele Olojede, Head, Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said, “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. Year after year, we’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that access, and opportunity can create in the lives of women and their communities.
“Through SARA by Wema, our goal is to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”
“This year’s partnership represents more than sponsorship; it is a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses, scale their impact, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“Eligible applicants must be women-led businesses with active Wema Bank accounts and must be registered members of the SARA Community.
“Interested participants are required to submit a written pitch of no more than two pages, detailing their business and founder story, the problem being solved, target audience and competitive advantage, proposed use of the grant, and the expected outcomes and community impact. Entries must also include the applicant’s Wema Bank account number, full name, and the email address used to join the SARA Community.”
- Telecom3 days ago
NCC Introduces N10m Licence Fee for Bulk SMS Service
- Telecom3 days ago
MTN Nigeria Targets $1Bn Cloud Market with Largest Modular Data Centre
- General News3 days ago
Woodhall Capital and Partners Launch ₦1.5Bn Fund
- E-Business3 days ago
Firm Highlights Top Risks of Quantum Computing
- E-Financial2 days ago
Zenith Banks Leads as 8 Banks Suffer N156Bn Impairment Charges
- Telecom3 days ago
PAT Taps Osi as CEO
- General News3 days ago
Burna Boy Distances Himself from Meme Coin, Labels Crypto as Fraud
- E-Financial3 days ago
Africa Launches PAPSSCARD, First Pan-African Card Scheme