E-Financial
BOK International UAE Embraces iMAL Islamic Core Banking System

Path Solutions, the market leading provider of Islamic financial software solutions and services, announced today that Bank of Khartoum Group signed a license to acquire the new ground-breaking version of iMAL Islamic core banking system for its newly established branch in the United Arab Emirates – BOK International UAE.
iMAL latest version offers an advanced and agile banking platform carrying many technical and functional refinements that would bridge the fintech gap.
With this further investment in Path Solutions, BOK Group will have the best solution available in the market to meet its international expansion plans.
The latest version of iMAL, which was selected over international competitors’ systems, will deliver competitive edge to BOK International UAE bringing real benefits to the bank’s customers – particularly in areas like Sharia and regulatory compliance, customer service management, Islamic investment, asset management, trade and project finance, and international money transfers.
BOK International UAE is a fully-owned subsidiary of Bank of Khartoum Group, the largest and most prestigious financial institution in Sudan. In August 2017, the bank was granted the final operational license by the Central Bank of the UAE after fulfilling all requirements of the initial provisional license that had been granted in April 2016, achieving a significant milestone in its strategy to provide a wide range of Sharia-based innovative products and services to retail and commercial customers in this new geography.
“iMAL supports the bank’s operations across Sudan and Kingdom of Bahrain, and we have achieved successful results with this solution, being in line with the principles of Sharia law. BOK International is a new entrant in the UAE market, and we strongly believe that iMAL, a truly world-class Sharia-based banking solution will bring us tangible benefits in the way we run our business in the UAE”, commented Fadi Al Faqih, Chief Executive Officer of BOK Group.
“We are confident that iMAL will give BOK International UAE a significant edge and sustained steady growth advantage over our competitors, in the same way it is empowering us in Sudan and Kingdom of Bahrain”.
In 2009, Path Solutions was able to deploy a cutting-edge turnkey solution covering all BOK Group expansion needs across its subsidiaries, and implement a centralized architecture to serve them on a single platform.
BOK Group is thus managing rapid international expansion with iMAL Islamic Banking & Investment System, with a strand of significant achievements.
In 2016, BOK achieved 25.72% return on equity, 3.14% return on assets with a balance sheet asset size of an equivalent of US $2.5 billion. Moreover, the bank achieved a (AA-) rating for the sixth consecutive year by Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) and is considered the only Sudanese bank that has been de-listed from OFAC SDN list since April 2011.
“We are excited to be a partner in this impressive international growth by BOK Group, because it is a loud testimonial to the value we are bringing”, said Mohammed Kateeb, the Group Chairman & CEO of Path Solutions.
“New age banking with all its regulatory challenges across different countries requires industry depth and knowledge of local markets, and an advanced core banking platform. A world-class technology is vital to achieving BOK International growth objectives in the UAE. iMAL has proven its excellence in Sharia compliance, security and risk management capabilities, and the flexibility to scale the business rapidly to meet future expansion plans”, Kateeb added.
BOK Group shareholders in the UAE are leading regional Islamic and financial institutions supported by Dubai Islamic Bank, Islamic Development Bank Jeddah, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank along with many other prominent Sudanese and regional businessmen. The bank will pioneer and provide innovative Sharia-based banking products and services to the local community.
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.
Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.
Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.
In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.
Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.
E-Financial
Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

House of Rep
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.
He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.
The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.
“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.
He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.
The investigation continues next week.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.
SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.
The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.
SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.
CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).
Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.
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