E-Financial
CBN to Raise DFIs Capital Base to N100Bn

The likes of Bank of Industry (BoI), so-called development finance institutions (DFIs) will be required to shore up their capital base to N100 billion, if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) goes ahead with its recommendation for a new minimum capital requirement for DFIs.
BoI currently has a capital base of N45 billion and will be required to cough out additional N55 billion if the plan is sealed.
According to a draft regulatory and supervisory framework for DFIs in Nigeria published by the CBN on Tuesday, besides the N100 billion for Wholesale Minimum Capital Institutions (WDFI) and N5 billion for Retail Development Finance Institution (RDFI); other financial requirements include a non-refundable application fee of N100,000.00 for RDFI N250,000.00 for WDFI. There are also: non-refundable licensing fee- N500,000.00 for RDFI; N1,000,000.00 for WDFI; while change of name fee is N50,000.00.
Besides these, to obtain a finance licence, promoters of a DFI must submit documents such as: “Evidence of payment of a non-refundable licensing fee of N500,000.00 for RDFI or N1,000,000.00 for WDFI, or any other amount as may be determined by the CBN; A copy of the shareholders’ register in which the equity interest of each shareholder is properly reflected; (and) certified true copies of Form CAC 2;” to the CBN before being considered for the grant of a final licence and thereafter, permitted to begin operations
Before all of these however, promoters seeking a licence to operate a DFI must apply in writing to the CBN governor, indicating the class of DFI, and accompanying such with a non-refundable application fee of N100,000, or any other amount deemed necessary by the apex bank.
In addition to evidence of name reservation with CAC, there must be a detailed feasibility report containing information like the objectives and aims of the proposed DFI; strategy for achieving them; as well as the branch expansion programme for the initial five years.
There must also be proposed training programmes for staff and management, as well as succession plan; a five-year financial projection for the operation of the DFI, showing expected growth and profitability; and details of the assumptions which form the basis of the financial projection.
The CBN also wants to see the organisational structure of the DFI indicating the functions and responsibilities of the top management; board composition and interests represented; and a copy of the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMART)
E-Financial
Kuda Microfinance Bank Releases ‘My Year on Kuda’ 2025 Financial Recap

Kuda Microfinance Bank has unveiled the 2025 edition of “My Year on Kuda,” its annual recap providing customers with personalised insights into their spending, saving, and money management habits from the previous year.

Kuda Microfinance Bank
The tool analyses transaction data across categories like transfers, card payments, online purchases, and bills, revealing patterns such as highest-spending months, biggest payments, saving frequency, and savings from Kuda’s 25 free monthly transfers. Customers can compare 2025 activity against 2024, including income versus expenditure.
In an era of inflation and economic uncertainty, the recap promotes financial literacy by highlighting responsible borrowing via Kuda Overdraft usage, including access frequency, amounts borrowed, and repayment patterns.
Customer-shared screenshots on X reflect national trends: Nigeria recorded over 2.2 billion electronic transactions worth ₦285 trillion in Q1 2025, up 20 percent year-on-year, with POS terminals driving the shift to cashless commerce.
Kuda Group CEO Babs Ogundeyi, in the recap’s opening video, urged users: “Before you carry on with January, this is the perfect time to see everything you did with your money on Kuda last year and learn something.”
The feature underscores Kuda’s focus on actionable insights to help Nigerians navigate evolving personal finance amid shifting earning and spending behaviours.
E-Financial
Wema Bank Launches SAW AI Voice Assistant for Seamless Banking on ALAT 2.0

Wema Bank has introduced SAW, a new AI voice assistant integrated into the ALAT 2.0 app, allowing customers to manage finances through natural voice commands similar to Siri, Bixby, or Alexa.

Wema Bank
SAW understands everyday language and delivers instant responses tailored to banking needs, such as checking account balances, transferring money, reviewing transactions, and accessing support.
This feature brings conversational banking to Nigerian users, eliminating complexity and enhancing accessibility.
The bank positions SAW as a pioneer in AI-powered financial services, aligning with global trends where millions interact daily with voice assistants for tasks like setting reminders or playing music.
ALAT 2.0 represents the next evolution in digital banking, making services more efficient, personal, and human-like for everyday Nigerians.
E-Financial
Ecobank Offsets Repayment of $300m Eurobond Notes

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has fully repaid bondholders who validly tendered their notes ahead of the February 2026 maturity date.

The bank announced the successful completion of its tender offer, under which it prepaid approximately $245 million of its $300 million Eurobond, representing more than 80 per cent of the total issuance.
According to a statement, the transaction relates to the 7.125 per cent Senior Note Participation Notes due February 2026.
Ecobank Nigeria Limited said it launched a tender offer to eligible noteholders in respect of the outstanding $150 million on the bond on November 27, 2025, providing them with an opportunity to redeem their holdings ahead of the original maturity date of 16 February 2026.
It stated that the early and late tender participation deadlines were 11 December 2025 and 29 December 2025, respectively.
According to the bank, holders of notes validly tendered and accepted received a cash consideration of $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount, in addition to accrued interest from the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the final settlement date of 31 December 2025.
Following completion of the offer, the bank said the outstanding principal amount of the notes has been reduced to approximately $55.092 million.
The bank also stated that the initiative reflects Ecobank Nigeria’s proactive approach to liability management and prudent balance sheet optimisation.
The tender offer was conducted with Renaissance Capital Africa (Renaissance Securities Nigeria Limited) acting as financial adviser and dealer manager, while Sodali & Co Limited served as tender agent.
The notes were originally issued by EBN Finance Company B.V., with limited recourse to the issuer, for the sole purpose of financing the purchase of the $300 million 7.125 per cent Senior Note due 2026 issued by Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
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