E-Financial
Cisco Warns Banks, Others of Increased Cyber- Attacks
The increasing threats of cybercrime menace may impact more on the activities of banks and other financial institutions, oil and gas and other sectors of the economy, except urgent measures are implemented.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2014 Cisco Mobility Report in Lagos, Dare Ogunlade, Cisco’s Country Manager, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana, noted that cyber insecurity was posing great danger to individuals, businesses and governments across the globe, growing at an average 14 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
Ogunlade said while agriculture, mining, electronics and pharmaceutical industries characterised the list vulnerable sectors on a global scale, the Nigerian case is a peculiar one where banks, operators in the oil and gas industry and government appear to be the most vulnerable.
According to him, the advent of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), a practice where workers bring their personal PC and other devices to an office environment and connect same to an organisation’s network to work, has made cyber-attacks to increase astronomically.
“Hackers work in collaborations with each other’s to actually launch attacks on organisations and the trend is becoming a lot more difficult because organisations have not really come to terms with the complexity of cyber-attacks,” he said.
He noted that 91 per cent of Java-based applications were compromised because it is the most popular language of the Internet with open source capability. While lamenting lack of security experts, who can identify threats and nip them in the bud in most organisations, Ogunlade described security solution as an end–to-end practice, which organisations must deploy but decried that it currently suffers inadequate skills.
“Organizations across Africa must realize that it is no longer if they will targeted by cyber-attacks, but rather when. Chief Information Security Officers face growing pressure to protect terabytes of data on an increasingly porous network, manage information safely especially on the cloud, and evaluate the risks of working with third-party vendors for specialized solutions – all in the wake of shrinking budgets and leaner IT teams”, he stressed.
Explaining the severity and complexity of cyber-attacks, Adeola Kukoyi, a Cisco security technology expert, said that 60 per cent of data is stolen in hours, 54 per cent of breaches remain undiscovered, while 100 per cent of companies are connected to domains that host malicious files or services. Kukoyi, thus, unveiled a 10-point checklist provided in the Cisco’s security report to help organisations guide against cyber-attacks.
He listed that the checklist to include assessment of the totality of companies’ networks; re-evaluation of acceptable use policy and business code of conduct; determination of what data must be protected; knowing where the company’s data is and understanding how and if is being secured.
Kukoyi advised firms to among other things,”assess your company user education practices, use egress monitoring (monitor what is being sent out of your organisation and by whom and to where), prepare from the inevitability of BYOD, create an incident response plan, implement security measures to help compensate for lack of control over social networks, and monitor the dynamic risk landscape as well as
Cisco Warns Banks, Others of Increased Cyber- Attacks
The increasing threats of cybercrime menace may impact more on the activities of banks and other financial institutions, oil and gas and other sectors of the economy, except urgent measures are implemented.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2014 Cisco Mobility Report in Lagos, Dare Ogunlade, Cisco’s Country Manager, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana, noted that cyber insecurity was posing great danger to individuals, businesses and governments across the globe, growing at an average 14 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
Ogunlade said while agriculture, mining, electronics and pharmaceutical industries characterised the list vulnerable sectors on a global scale, the Nigerian case is a peculiar one where banks, operators in the oil and gas industry and government appear to be the most vulnerable.
According to him, the advent of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), a practice where workers bring their personal PC and other devices to an office environment and connect same to an organisation’s network to work, has made cyber-attacks to increase astronomically.
“Hackers work in collaborations with each other’s to actually launch attacks on organisations and the trend is becoming a lot more difficult because organisations have not really come to terms with the complexity of cyber-attacks,” he said.
He noted that 91 per cent of Java-based applications were compromised because it is the most popular language of the Internet with open source capability. While lamenting lack of security experts, who can identify threats and nip them in the bud in most organisations, Ogunlade described security solution as an end–to-end practice, which organisations must deploy but decried that it currently suffers inadequate skills.
“Organizations across Africa must realize that it is no longer if they will targeted by cyber-attacks, but rather when. Chief Information Security Officers face growing pressure to protect terabytes of data on an increasingly porous network, manage information safely especially on the cloud, and evaluate the risks of working with third-party vendors for specialized solutions – all in the wake of shrinking budgets and leaner IT teams”, he stressed.
Explaining the severity and complexity of cyber-attacks, Adeola Kukoyi, a Cisco security technology expert, said that 60 per cent of data is stolen in hours, 54 per cent of breaches remain undiscovered, while 100 per cent of companies are connected to domains that host malicious files or services. Kukoyi, thus, unveiled a 10-point checklist provided in the Cisco’s security report to help organisations guide against cyber-attacks.
He listed that the checklist to include assessment of the totality of companies’ networks; re-evaluation of acceptable use policy and business code of conduct; determination of what data must be protected; knowing where the company’s data is and understanding how and if is being secured.
Kukoyi advised firms to among other things,”assess your company user education practices, use egress monitoring (monitor what is being sent out of your organisation and by whom and to where), prepare from the inevitability of BYOD, create an incident response plan, implement security measures to help compensate for lack of control over social networks, and monitor the dynamic risk landscape as well as keep users and employees informed.”
keep users and employees informed.”
Africa has marked a significant step towards financial independence following the launch of PAPSSCARD, the continent’s first Pan-African card scheme.
Professor Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank,
Unveiled on June 27 at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, Nigeria, the new card represents a major leap in Africa’s efforts to achieve financial sovereignty by building resilient and independent payment systems, easing people travel and boosting trade integration.
PAPSSCARD, a joint-venture between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and Mercury Payment Services (MPS), enables fast, secure, and affordable retail payments across African borders. Currently, most African card payments are routed through global systems causing increased fees and loss of data control. By processing transactions entirely within the continent, PAPSSCARD keeps value, data, and economic benefit in Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank, highlighted the significance of PAPSSCARD in reclaiming Africa’s financial autonomy.
“For too long, Africa’s reliance on external payment systems has impeded trade, increased costs, and compromised control over our financial data. PAPSSCARD changes that. It empowers us to move money swiftly, securely, and affordably across our borders. It is a transformative step towards strengthening intra-African trade and preserving value within the continent.”
Mike Ogbalu III, CEO of PAPSS, described PAPSSCARD as a major advancement in the continent’s financial architecture, noting that it is “more than just a payment tool, it is a powerful symbol of progress and a bold step towards financial independence.” He added that the card reflects Africa’s ability to create practical, home-grown solutions that align with how the continent trades, lives, and grows.
Muzaffer Khokhar, executive chairman, Mercury, said the launch represents a milestone in Africa’s move toward financial sovereignty.
“We are proud to support a system built by Africa, for Africa. This is about sovereignty, innovation, and building trust in African systems to shape the continent’s financial future. The PAPSS Card will become Africa’s most trusted payments brand, strengthening the backbone of the continent’s financial future.”
John Bosco Sebabi, acting CEO of PAPSSCARD, added that the new payment offering will unlock benefits for a wide range of stakeholders, from corporates and banks to merchants and individuals.
He said that the PAPSSCARD card would “reduce costs for public institutions, support innovation across the financial sector, and expand access to secure, modern payment tools for people and businesses across the continent.”
Commemorative cards were unveiled at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings to mark the launch of the PAPSSCARD.
This initiative was made possible by strategic partnerships with issuing banks – Bank of Kigali and I&M Bank Rwanda; Rswitch, Rwanda’s national switch – Smart Cash; and Unified Payments, ensuring its seamless acceptance throughout Nigeria.
African central banks and payment systems are set to spearhead the continent-wide adoption and rollout of the new PAPSSCARD.
This initiative will significantly advance Afreximbank’s strategy to promote financial inclusion and boost intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), fostering a more integrated and self-sustaining African economy.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced strategic expansion into more African countries even as it plans to open a new office in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in its mission to connect Africa with key global markets.
Oliver Alawuba, GMD/CEO, UBA group,
This emerged during the Group’s Half Year Business Review held at its global headquarters in Lagos, where Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/CEO, UBA group, met with senior executives overseeing UBA’s 24-country footprint.
The meeting reaffirmed the bank’s pan-African strategy while outlining bold new steps into global markets.
Alawuba highlighted UBA’s continued growth outside Nigeria, with more than 51.7% of Group revenues now generated from its ex-Nigerian operations.
He described the Saudi expansion as a move that positions UBA to support cross-border trade, attract investment flows, and better serve the African diaspora.
“UBA’s vision is clear—we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents. Our entry into Saudi Arabia signals confidence in new opportunities and commitment to supporting economic connectivity between Africa and the Middle East,” he said.
The Saudi expansion adds to UBA’s international presence, which currently includes the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Alawuba also disclosed that the bank is upgrading its operating licence in France to further strengthen its European operations.
“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and is upgrading its licence in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in New York,” Alawuba noted.
Since launching its pan-African journey with an entry into Ghana in 2004, UBA has expanded rapidly across 20 African countries, establishing itself as a leading driver of financial inclusion, innovation, and regional integration.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated announced its plan to raise up to $250m in Additional Tier 1 capital through a private placement of contingent convertible notes.
In a statement filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited recently, the capital raise was approved by shareholders at the company’s Extraordinary General Meeting held in Lomé, Togo. The private placement offer was launched on July 9 and will run for ten days.
“Following the approval of the shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on May 28, 2025, in Lomé, Togo, to raise up to $250m in additional Tier 1 capital qualifying instruments via a private placement of contingent convertible notes, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated announces the launch of the AT1 effective July 9, 2025, for ten days. Renaissance Capital Africa has been appointed as the transaction adviser to ETI.”
The move is an initiative aimed at strengthening Ecobank’s capital adequacy, enhancing financial resilience, and supporting its long-term growth ambitions across its diversified pan-African banking platform.
Additionally, Madibinet Cisse, Ecobank’s Company Secretary, said, “This proposed capital raise represents a critical step in our efforts to fortify the bank’s financial foundation and support sustainable growth across Africa.”
It would be recalled that Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has raised an additional $125m through a Eurobond tap, bringing the total size of its 2029 notes to $525m.
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