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ANADEFI Banks Ring Solution to Banking Crisis

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Michael Ikpoki, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria
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Despite the best efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the financial industry is still strained by weak counterparty management policy due largely to lack of reliable data and dearth of powerful financial analysis tool that can enable financial institutions evaluate their customers and counterparties, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report.
The result is that as the regulatory authority and risk managers of banks sketch out details of how to improve lending, they are still tied to the mystifyingly complex series of banking rules that produce vicious credit cycle.
People familiar with banking software and regulation said that Nigeria has not yet implemented global risk management standards, such as Basel II, which requires banks to maintain elaborate loss histories; data availability for deriving stress test impacts is limited.
Eager however to consolidate and achieve a robust banking industry through reforms, the CBN has hinted that it would engage specialists to drive the implementation of the Basel II and III, as well as other key initiatives aimed at enhancing effective banking supervision.
Basel III is a global regulatory standard on bank capital adequacy, stress testing and market liquidity risk agreed upon by the members of the Basel committee on banking supervision.
Hussaini Yakubu,, chief operating officer of Mayakorp Limited, a solutions and IT services provider, advised the CBN to begin with a business decision support tool that will come with solution for counterparty risk management, financial analysis and internal rating.
This is due to obvious loopholes in Basel II blamed as one of the major factors of the global financial crisis.
According to Hussaini Yakubu, because of the fragile nature of developing economies, regulatory authorities must ensure that successive banking capital rules do not make the same mistakes.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that Basel II collapsed on all the three pillars it was founded under the weight of the crisis before the plaster had even set.
During the crisis, the global financial system came close to a complete halt as a result of problems propagated via financial markets to banks globally.
The need to underpin the liquidity problems of banks is imperative.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN governor, recently told an audience at the London School of Economics that Basel III bank reforms currently in development probably won’t prevent banks taking on excessive risk because they are too soft at influencing behavior.
“I think one of the major problems that Basel III will have is that it falls into the…trap of thinking that by simply creating certain capital guidelines you can alter behavior,” he said.
His submission falls aptly in line with Hussein’s recommendation of flexible tool, easy to implement, even for complex projects for the industry before they progress to the full implementation of Basel III.
Hussaini   said that ANADEFI Banks, a solution developed by O.R. System of France is just what Nigerian banks need to give them traceable and qualified information.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that ANADEFI Banks is fully compliant with Basel II and III and combines external, internal, financial and non-financial data into a single repository for counterparty rating and gives a better understanding of risk origination.
It also standardizes financial analysis and counterparty rating practices within a centralized solution which is robust, flexible and scalable (multi industry, multi financial statements, etc.) and easily maintains rating models and reduces the time to market of the rating model validation to its implementation.
Elsewhere, ANADEFI Information Exchange Platform (AIEP) addresses Central Banks and regulators’ growing need to manage their counterparty risks and Basel II and III compliance requirements.
AIEP is modular software enabling Central Banks and regulators’ risks department to set up a unique repository where are stored all their third parties and risks information.
  Two of O.R. System customers have already implemented it with success on some of their platforms, including the enterprises information trade company Société de Commercialisation d’Informations d’Entreprises (SCIE), an initiative of several financial institutions and banks in the West Africa.
Abel  Assogba, of SCIE said: “Thanks to its flexibility and reliability the AIEP solution enables us to optimize our counterparty risks management. O.R. System was able to understand our strategic issues and accurately adapted the software to our need for a balance sheets and enterprise rating platform in the countries of our monetary zone. We are now going to extend the solution and use its other modules”
Fabrice Fauconnier, development director at O.R. System: “We know that some central banks have implemented a risks platform but many of them have not found yet an adequate tool for an information exchange platform; our software provides a complete and coherent turnkey solution in response to this strong need.”


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Karex, World’s Top Condom Maker to Hike Prices due to Iran war

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Karex, world’s largest condom maker, plans to raise prices by up to 30 percent due to supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.

Karex, World's Top Condom Maker to Hike Prices due to Iran war

This means that safe sex could get more expensive if the war continues to disrupt global supply chains, according to Goh Miah Kiat, CEO, Karex.

Kiat told old Reuters that rising freight costs and shipping delays have increased demand and forced the company to pass costs to customers.

Broader supply chain issues and higher oil prices could impact many everyday products that rely on petrochemicals.

“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive… We ​have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to ⁠the customers,” Goh told Reuters.

Karex joins a growing list of companies that are bracing for supply chain disruptions amid the ongoing war in Iran.

Based in Malaysia, Karex produces condoms, personal lubricants, gloves, medical catheters and probe covers.

The company manufactures male latex condoms including ONE, Trustex, Carex and Pasante, and it can produce over 5 billion condoms annually. Karex also exports to more than 130 countries, according to its website.

“We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” Goh said.

 


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Court Affirms FCCPC Authority over Consumer Protection

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Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) authority to investigate consumer complaints and enforce regulatory oversight in Nigeria.

Court Affirms FCCPC Authority over Consumer Protection

Tunji Bello, EVC/CEO, FCCPC

In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, director, Corporate Affairs, the Commission said that in the judgment delivered by James Omotosho on April 20, 2026, the court dismissed a suit filed by Air Peace Limited challenging the Commission’s statutory powers.

The ruling affirmed the Commission’s mandate under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 to “receive complaints, assess matters brought before it, and take appropriate lawful steps, including investigation where necessary.”

Reacting to the decision, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Commission, said; “the judgment reinforces the importance of regulatory oversight in safeguarding consumers and ensuring fair market practices.”

Bello explained that the case stemmed from complaints involving “unrefunded ticket fares, cancelled flights, and other service concerns affecting passengers.”

Bello stressed that consumers who pay for services are entitled to fair treatment, transparency, and redress in accordance with applicable law.

He also said that investigations conducted by the Commission are administrative processes aimed at establishing facts.

“It does not amount to a finding of liability or wrongdoing,” he said.

The FCCPC boss further reiterated the agency’s commitment to due process and constructive engagement with businesses, noting that the Commission would continue to operate in a “fair, professional, and transparent manner.”

Bello also urged companies operating in Nigeria to cooperate with lawful regulatory procedures and strengthen internal complaint resolution mechanisms to address consumer grievances promptly.

The Commission said it will continue to act within its statutory mandate to protect consumers, promote competitive markets, and build confidence in key sectors, including aviation.

 


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UK-Nigeria Trade Mission Builds on State Visit Momentum to Drive Commercial Outcomes

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L-r: Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, DMA Invest; Steve Grey OBE, UK Export Finance Lead; Dr Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria; Aisha Rimi, Chief Executive, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission; Ayo Sotinrin, MD/Chief Executive Nigeria's Bank of Agriculture (BoA), and Lovina Kayode, Director, Investor Relations, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, at the UK-Nigeria Trade mission in Abuja, yesterday.
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Underscoring the strength of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership, the UK has completed its first trade and investment mission to Nigeria since the recent State Visit, focused on turning high‑level agreements into practical commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Supported by the UK Department for Business and Trade and delivered by DMA Invest in partnership with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), the 2-day trade mission brought together 43 delegates from 30 British companies to build partnerships, deepen commercial engagement and pursue new opportunities across priority sectors with their Nigerian counterparts.

With trade between both countries now at a record £8.1 billion, and Nigeria established as the UK’s largest export market in Africa, the mission highlighted where UK expertise can add the more value to Nigeria’s reform‑driven economy.

Opportunities discussed spanned key sectors such as infrastructure; energy and power; water, environment and climate solutions; agriculture; finance and professional services; testing and certification standards; logistics and supply chains; and technology, including education, aviation and communications.

These sectors align closely with the priorities set out under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) and reflect areas where UK capability, high standards and long‑term partnership approaches are well matched to Nigeria’s evolving market needs.

The mission also focused on challenging outdated perceptions of Nigeria, highlighting its shift towards a high‑potential, reforming economy, and energising businesses around new commercial opportunities supported by an improving macroeconomic outlook.

It encouraged UK and Nigerian firms to recognise complementary strengths and pursue new partnerships, reinforcing the message that both countries are open for business and natural partners for growth.

Dr Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said: “This trade mission is a clear signal of intent. As the first UK business delegation to Nigeria since the State Visit, it shows how we are turning strong political alignment into real commercial action and long‑term partnerships for businesses in both countries.

“By bringing together UK companies and Nigerian partners across priority sectors and working closely with DMA Invest and the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, we are backing ambition with delivery and making clear that the UK is committed, engaged and ready to do business with Nigeria for the long term.”

Aisha Rimi, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, said: “This trade mission represents a timely and strategic step in translating the renewed momentum from the UK–Nigeria State Visit into tangible investment outcomes for Nigeria. At the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, we are focused on facilitating partnerships that align with our national priorities and unlock value across key sectors of the economy.

The strong interest from UK companies reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s reforms and its position as a leading investment destination in Africa. We remain committed to working closely with our partners to ensure that these engagements result in sustainable investments, job creation, and inclusive economic growth for both countries.”

Ronald Chagoury Jr. Vice-Chairman of Hitech and ITB, said: “As long-standing investors and operators in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector, Hitech and ITB are proud to support this UK–Nigeria Trade Mission and its focus on delivering tangible commercial outcomes.

“The successful close of a $1 billion ports transaction, backed by UK Export Finance, reflects both our execution capability and the strength of international partnerships when aligned with national priorities. We see this as a pivotal step in advancing Nigeria’s port infrastructure and a strong signal of confidence in the country’s reform agenda under the Renewed Hope framework.”

Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, DMA Invest, said: “This UK–Nigeria Trade Mission demonstrates the value of bringing government, investors and delivery partners together in a structured, deal-focused environment. Our role is to convene the right stakeholders and translate strategic alignment into practical commercial outcomes.

The quality of engagement across infrastructure, energy, finance and related sectors reflects the depth of opportunity in Nigeria and the UK’s commitment to long-term partnership. We are proud to have supported this mission alongside the UK Department for Business and Trade and NIPC, and to help accelerate conversations that move projects closer to investment and delivery.”

All 43 delegates from 30 British companies participated in the UK-Nigeria Business Forum alongside senior representatives from the UK and Nigerian Governments, Nigerian businesses and the wider private sector.

The forum provided a platform for direct engagement with Nigerian companies, practical discussions, relationship‑building and the exploration of new partnerships aligned with Nigeria’s reform‑driven priorities.

This mission marks an important step in deepening the UK-Nigeria economic partnership. By strengthening relationships, building confidence and supporting deal‑making, it ensures that the momentum from the State Visit continues to translate into sustained commercial outcomes, long‑term investment and shared growth.


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