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Afreximbank Signs Deal with UTM on Financing for Historic Floating LNG Project

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African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, yesterday disclosed that it has executed a project preparation facility financing head of terms with UTM Offshore Limited, under which the Bank will part-finance activities designed to progress a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FNLG) project in Nigeria to bankability.

The Bank in a statement explained that the deal marked its ongoing support “in leading UTM’s fundraising efforts to secure the necessary investment required for the projects’ implementation.

This project is of historical significance as it is the first FLNG project developed by an African-owned company on the continent”.

It stated that UTM is undertaking the development, design, and construction of an FLNG facility with a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) nameplate production capacity of 1.2 million metric ton per annum and a storage capacity of 200,000 cubic meters, as well as ancillary facilities to be located 60km from the shore of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

According to the Bank, “as well as representing a ‘first’ as an African-led intervention in the FNLG sector, the project aligns with Afreximbank’s strategic aim of advancing activities which boast strong climate finance credentials.

“Most importantly, the project paves the way for a just energy transition in line with the reduction of carbon emissions as prescribed at COP26. Moreover, this project has economically transformative potential – establishing trade-enabling infrastructure which will allow Nigeria to pivot from a crude oil export-based economy to a gas-based processing industrial economy in turn unlocking significant development impacts.

“To advance the timely implementation of the project, Afreximbank is leveraging its diverse product suite to provide end-to-end solutions. During the pre-investment stage, the project preparation facility will be deployed to de-risk the project and rapidly progress it towards bankability.

“In addition, under the PPF, the Bank will be appointed as mandated lead arranger (MLA) and lead in syndicating the debt raise – with the ability to incorporate credit enhancements, if required.

“Through its Financial Advisory Mandate, Afreximbank has been playing an instrumental role in structuring the transaction to ensure optimal returns and debt sizing, as well as identifying equity investors to invest in the project on favorable terms”.

Commenting on the deal, Mr. Amr Kamel, Afreximbank Executive Vice-President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking, said: “The intervention by Afreximbank will help, Nigeria, one of its member states, to invest in natural gas as part of its pathway towards a just energy transition and achieve a more sustainable and climate resilient economic development.

“The holistic approach deployed by the Bank in the UTM project is a model that Afreximbank aims to replicate across its member countries. It is through such interventions that we can ignite transformative actions that will spur industrialization and export development activities across the continent”.

 


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FCCPC Says Telcos, Energy Firms Lead Consumer Complaints in Nigeria

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Telecommunications, energy, and fintech firms generate the highest number of consumer complaints in Nigeria, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declared.

FCCPC Says Telcos, Energy Firms Lead Consumer Complaints in Nigeria

Tunji Bello, EVC, FCCPC

Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman, made this known on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bello said the commission had received thousands of complaints from Nigerians across these sectors and had recovered over N20bn for consumers as of March 2026.

According to him, the commission resolved more than 9,000 complaints and recovered over N10bn for consumers between March and August 2025 alone.

“Let me tell you where most complaints come from. Mostly on energy, fintech. For energy, people complain about the electricity supply, and so on. That’s where we get most complaints. And that led to recent action in Lagos against a disco. Also fintech. You know, people do a lot of transactions online, and most of them are either given unfair terms.

“Somebody has borrowed money, and then you discover that when they ask to pay back, the interest rate is outrageous. Most of them we have interrogated, and we’ve been able to resolve as many as possible,” Bello stated.

He added that the telecommunications sector and banks also account for significant complaints, noting that the commission receives about 25,000 complaints annually through various platforms.

Bello said cumulative recoveries for consumers had exceeded N20bn as of March 2026, up from N10bn recorded in October 2025.

 


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Ghana Nabs 93 Nigerians in Cybercrime Crackdown

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Ghanaian authorities have arrested 93 Nigerian nationals over alleged involvement in internet fraud and immigration violations, as the West African nation intensifies its crackdown on cross-border cybercrime networks.

The arrests followed an intelligence-led raid by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on six houses in Devtraco Estate in Accra believed to be operating as a hub for online fraud.

In a statement, GIS spokesperson Maud Anima Quainoo said the suspects comprised 91 men and two women and were arrested during a coordinated operation targeting a suspected cybercrime ring.

“This operation targeted six houses at Devtraco Estate where officers rescued 73 victims who had reportedly endured severe abuse and torture at the hands of the suspects,” said Quainoo.

Authorities said the victims were later repatriated to Nigeria.

Investigators recovered equipment suggesting a well-organised cybercrime enterprise. Items seized included 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit US dollar notes and fake gold bars, along with household appliances believed to have supported the group’s operations.

Preliminary investigations indicate that some suspects entered Ghana through unauthorised border crossings, while others allegedly overstayed the 90-day visa-free entry period available to citizens of Economic Community of West African States countries.

The arrests are the latest in a growing list of cybercrime crackdowns in Ghana, highlighting the country’s struggle to contain increasingly sophisticated digital fraud operations.

In January, Ghanaian authorities arrested 53 Nigerians suspected of cybercrime and rescued 44 individuals believed to have been forced into online scam operations. In December, separate raids in Greater Accra led to the arrest of dozens of suspects linked to internet fraud syndicates.

Ghana has become a target for criminal networks running schemes such as romance scams, sextortion, online investment fraud, impersonation and mobile money scams. Victims are often recruited through fake job offers or promises of overseas opportunities before being forced to operate scam accounts targeting victims in Europe, North America and Asia.

Authorities have also uncovered cases involving digital gold trading scams, where fraudsters lure victims with fake mining investments or counterfeit gold deals.

The presence of high-speed internet equipment, including routers and satellite connectivity tools in previous raids, has further highlighted how cybercrime syndicates are leveraging advanced technology to expand operations.


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APC Chairman Yilwatda Set for Keynote at 2026 WACC, Charts Tech Path for 2027 Polls

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Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) in Lagos on June 25, 2026, spotlighting technology’s role in Nigeria’s development ahead of the 2027 elections.

APC Chairman Yilwatda Set for Keynote at 2026 WACC, Charts Tech Path for 2027 Polls

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The high-level colloquium, themed “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” anchors WACC 2026 under the banner “Reworking Nigeria Progressively into the Digital Economy with Emerging Digital Tools.” Organized by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa since 2004, the event also features the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026 Recognition Ceremony.

Yilwatda, a technocrat, engineer, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and ex-Resident Electoral Commissioner, will outline the APC’s Technology and Digital Economy Blueprint as a pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The address targets stakeholders in ICT, telecom, fintech, infrastructure, and the private sector to align politics with digital growth—vital as the sector now drives over 18% of Nigeria’s GDP.

Strategic Platform Amid 2027 Elections

With polls looming in January 2027, the colloquium fosters non-partisan policy dialogue to boost economic modernization, job creation, digital inclusion, and youth engagement. Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa praised Yilwatda as “a scholar and seasoned technocrat” whose public service bolsters Nigeria’s digital shift.

Elite Audience Drives Action

Expected attendees include:

  • CEOs of ICT/telecom firms (network operators, data centres, ISPs)

  • Financial leaders (banks, fintechs, insurtechs)

  • Regulatory heads and government officials

  • Professional association leaders (ICT, engineering)

  • Digital education CEOs, venture capitalists, startups, and academics

This group shapes Nigeria’s digital agenda, turning vision into outcomes.

Governors Invited as Key Partners

State governors receive special invitations as guests and partners, emphasizing sub-national roles in digital infrastructure and inclusion. Benefits include:

  1. Pitching state priorities to investors during sessions.

  2. Positioning states for digital infrastructure, smart governance, skills, and entrepreneurship.

  3. Networking with ICT/telecom leaders for PPPs.

  4. Media visibility via coverage, interviews, and platforms.

  5. Profiling in the Nigeria Digital Economy Report 2026.

  6. Exclusive events like the industry colloquium, awards, and leaders’ lunch.

Knowhow Media CEO Olusegun Oruame said governors’ involvement will spur jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity.

WACC’s Enduring Impact

Over two decades, WACC has linked policy with innovation. Dr. Sola Afolabi, WACC Chairman, highlighted its role in elevating political voices for Nigeria’s growth.

Knowhow Media International leads Africa’s tech intelligence via events and publications.


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