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Courier Companies Not Happy With Illegal Operators-Olufade

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Toyin Olufade, president, Association of Nigerian Courier Operators (ANCO) has immense knowledge of the courier industry having cut his teeth in DHL for nearly two decades. Olufade breathes sleeps and speaks with passion about the industry.

He is also the managing director of Swift Courier limited, a company founded in 1997 and today a frontrunner in the sector. Olufade spoke to Emeka Okafor on a wide range of issues.

Courier and Economic Development

I would want to say that as at today, the industry itself is just about 30 years old in Nigeria and it is still emerging. It is a growing industry and we expect it to contribute its own quota to the development of the economy of the country. Courier is what people call air express, movement of sensitive document at a rapid rate from one origin to a destination within the country or outside. Therefore, if you are talking about industrialization, the courier industry plays a prominent role. If you are talking about express document, you need courier and that implies that information can begin to move from one place to another at a very fast rate. We utilize the air, the road and the sea and that means we contribute to the development of the transport industry. Apart from that, do not forget we also utilize utilities. In this case we are talking about motorcycles, cars, trucks and we are a very high demand sector for these equipment. When you talk about employment, we have a lot of people employed in courier companies. If you believe that registered courier companies are about 240 in Nigeria at the moment, then you can imagine the number of employees in that sector. It is expected that each courier company should have at least five offices nationwide; so you can imagine the number of people in each office. So, it is a very big industry and we are still tracking the throttle. As it is on the international scene, a lot of courier companies have airlifts of their own but we are limited here. If you look at it in general, the courier industry, the air express sector, logistics sector, which all come under the same umbrella, contribute in the development of the economy.

Experience as ANCO President

You see, they say uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Right now, it is an evolving association. We are just about 4-5 years in the making and we thank God that we are duly recognized. Our mandate was handed over to us by Chief Cornelius Adebayo, immediate past communications minister, who was very supportive. That was some two and half years ago and since then, we have been waxing strong. The ideal is to promote the industry, to coordinate the activities of the courier industry and to ensure that we deliver service to the customers and clients alike. As for followership, we encourage our members, each registered and licensed courier company; that is registered with the CAC and licensed with the Courier Regulatory Department (CRD); to become a member so that we can have a vision of how to further develop the industry by contributing our quota in an organized, coordinated method and procedure. So far, we are making our impact and we are trying to coordinate it with other stakeholders in the industry. We work with the Shippers Council; we work with airfreight people, the commerce ministry, the embassy, so that we can have a coordinated approach to service delivery. Well, it has been good and membership of ANCO now ranges between 50-55 members. People are becoming aware of the need to come together to fashion a way forward, especially with the challenges that exist. The association in recent past has made its own input into other national assignments. We have been invited to several for a where we were asked to deliver papers and make our own input into those other organized private sectors. So, things have been working well for ANCO and we are actually asking other people whom we are hooking up to, to come together so that we can determine the way forward for the sector.

Illegal Operators

The funny thing is this, as you find a means of curbing their activities, they device another. It is an unending battle. But we are not relenting. Many thrive on illegality, they want to cut corners as to avoid due payment to government; and also cheat unsuspecting customers. The battle has been on by the courier regulatory body and we give them our one hundred percent support. As a matter of fact, in the last meeting we had with the regulatory body, we told them we were even prepared to go on raiding rounds with them so as to express our support. Let it be known that registered courier companies are not happy with the illegal conduct of others because the truth of the matter is; it keeps the industry in a bad light because if one company errs it is like every other company has done wrong and we want to clear negative impressions. We are professionals, adequately and well trained to offer optimum quality service to the country. Yes, illegality exists. You will be surprised that every person believes that he can run a courier service. It becomes a matter of just give me the letter and I will take it there. As such you find road transporters, the airlines and individuals running courier service from the booths of their cars in car lots, no fixed address. It is really dangerous for the industry and we give our support to the CRD in the current fight to correct the illegality.

ICT and Courier Sector

ICT and courier work together because we are talking about information processing. For instance, in courier we have what is called ‘Track and Trace’. That is, if you hand over your documents to me, it means you will be able to process it and know where it is at any point in time until it is delivered and of course, you cannot do that by word of mouth. It is information that is fed into information devices. For the industry itself, it also advertises us. If you have a website, people know where you are and you can feed them with information about you at any time. I have received calls through the internet from people and associations trying to find out about certain companies and it was easy for me to give them information or ask them to visit the companies’ websites. See, it makes life easier. So, ICT is very crucial to courier and I know by the way we are going; there will be further development between ICT and the Air Express industry.

Postal Reform

We should not talk much of postal reform because that is more of the public sector postal system. The postal system is not operating on the optimum currently but it is to our own advantage because it has helped us to move forward too. If it were effective, what would have happened to courier? But we have to step up ourselves and be able to deliver on time. The postal reform is necessary in Nigeria because the country is one of the poorest corresponding countries in the world. We do not write much and as a matter of fact, we do not even read. We need to improve on our communication at the postal sector which will rub off on the courier industry. As for the postal commission, it is what we the private sector operators and stakeholders agitated for. We really believe that it is an unfair practice to have a player regulating. There is no way he can be justified and we want to say that ANCO is impressed by the way things are going. We feel that it should even have been considered by the Senate at the moment but I believe it is already there and they are looking at it and probably thinking whether to make further submissions. We are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of the postal commission which will regulate and guide the operations of the postal sector.

Expectations from the Commission

We expect that there will be a more coordinated approach to service delivery and at the moment we have a sole regulator whose sole responsibility is to ensure that the consumer gets the best service which means that there will be more competition and effectiveness on service delivery and people will demand more from us. It will also affect pricing, time delivery and ways in which we offer services. It can even give rise to categorization because we will then begin to specialize. We are looking forward to its implementation so that consumers can begin to experience the effects.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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General News

EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money

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Ola Olukoyede, chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised the alarm that some corrupt Nigerian politicians are now hiding their illicit wealth in cryptocurrencies to evade scrutiny and detection by anti-graft agencies.

EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money

Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC

The EFCC boss said the agency had uncovered a growing trend where fraudulent public officials now used cryptocurrency wallets to stash stolen public funds and conduct illicit transactions.

Olukoyede made the revelation at  an event commemorating Africa Anti-Corruption Day.

The event was held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State.

Other speakers at the event lamented that Nigerians usually fell victim to crypto fraud, including the recent CBEX scam, where Nigerians lost over N1.3tn.

Olukoyede said, “Virtual asset fraud is on the rise. Our findings show that fraudulent politicians are already perfecting schemes and hiding their loot in cryptocurrencies to beat the investigative blackness of anti-corruption agencies.

“Stolen funds and unexplained wealth are being warehoused in wallets and payment for services are being done through this window,” he said.

Olukoyede warned that while the rise of virtual assets had transformed financial transactions globally, it had also created new avenues for money laundering and financial crimes.

He said, “Technology is moving at a supersonic speed around the world.

“The advent of virtual assets is a response to one of the qualities of money as a store of value like it is known in our elementary economies.”

“However, as with every progressive innovation, fraud starts to usually evolve, evolve ways of perverting their genuine purposes,” he said.

He added that the EFCC was not helpless in the face of the sophisticated schemes, noting that proactive training and intelligence sharing had enabled the commission to identify and investigate such cases.


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Airtel Nigeria Drives BFSI and Utility Sector Innovation with Industry-wide Workshop

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L-r: Oladeji Ilesanmi, Head, Enterprise Sales, Airtel Africa; Abhishek Biswal, Chief Business Officer, Digital Services, Airtel India; Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria; Ogo Ofomata, Airtel Business Director, Airtel Nigeria; and Luc Serviant, Enterprise Business Director, Airtel Africa, during the first day of the two-day workshop, themed “Powering Financial Services with Connectivity”, hosted by Airtel Business for the benefit of the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) sector in Lagos this week.
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Airtel Nigeria, telecommunications and digital solutions provider, has reemphasised its commitment to national development with a two-day workshop for companies in Nigeria’s Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) and utility sectors.

Held from July 8 to 9, 2025 at the Lagos Continental, the exclusive event brought together C-suite executives and industry thought leaders to co-create transformative and tech-driven solutions for these critical industries.

Themed “Banking on Innovation: Powering Financial Services with Connectivity” on 1 and “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Leap: Smarter Networks, Smarter Business” on Day 2, the sessions were designed to identify critical pain points, unlock business potential, and drive smarter, more connected operations across two of the nation’s most essential sectors.

Delivering the keynote address, Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, reaffirmed Airtel’s dedication to enabling and driving Nigeria’s digital transformation across the finance and energy sectors.

Speaking on the timeliness of the workshop, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh said, “From power and water to finance, transportation, and logistics, this is a defining moment for every sector. The real question isn’t whether to adopt digital solutions, but how quickly and intelligently we can do so. At Airtel Nigeria, we’re moving beyond basic connectivity and becoming a true digital partner to the industries we serve.”

He highlighted Airtel’s categories of enterprise solutions that has been created to improve quality of life. These groupings include Internet of Things (IoT) for such services as smart metering, leak detection, energy optimisation, and real-time asset tracking; Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), which enables secure, multi-channel customer engagement via SMS, WhatsApp, Voice, and USSD; as well asl Network as a Service (NaaS), which delivers flexible, secure connectivity with cloud-ready agility.

Mr. Balsingh added that, “Nigeria’s power and energy industries are under growing pressure to modernise. Legacy infrastructure, fragmented systems, and lack of real-time visibility are major obstacles. Airtel is stepping in with the right tools, not just to connect, but to transform. With IoT, CPaaS, and NaaS, we’re laying the groundwork for smarter operations, improved service delivery, and better outcomes for businesses and consumers alike.”

Abhishek Biswal, Chief Business Officer, Digital Services at Airtel India, brought substantial insight to the discourse with a demonstration of Airtel’s IoT Hub and its transformative impact on energy distribution.

Biswal said, “The future of finance and energy is digital, and that future must be secure, scalable, and seamless. When financial players and utility providers partner with telcos like Airtel, we’re not just connecting systems; we’re building a smarter digital ecosystem for everyone.”

Reinforcing the CEO’s position, Ogo Ofomata, Director, Airtel Business, called for collaboration among the participating sector and their stakeholders.

“We don’t take lightly the trust you have put in us. Airtel operates in what we call the enabler industry. Sometimes we don’t even know there’s a problem until we come together like this. This workshop is about understanding your needs and working side by side to design solutions that truly fit,” she said.

In his remarks, Luc Serviant, Group Enterprise Business Director at Airtel Africa, highlighted the company’s role in driving digital transformation through sustained investments in 5G and LEO satellite connectivity, aimed at boosting remote operations and expanding access in underserved regions across the finance and energy sectors.

He said, “At Airtel, we understand that the future of is going digital, and reliable connectivity is the backbone of that future. From 5G to LEO satellite integration, we are investing in intelligent infrastructure that empowers service providers to operate more efficiently, respond in real-time, and deliver uninterrupted services to millions of Nigerians. This isn’t just about innovation; it’s about building the digital foundation that will power the nation’s next chapter.”

This workshop, which continues the series of sectoral engagements within Nigeria’s growing economy, concluded with feedback from stakeholders who called for the inclusion of regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in future editions.

 


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AfCFTA Credit Fund Makes First Investment With $10m Loan

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The Credit Fund of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund has successfully closed its first investment, committing $10 million to Telecel Global Services Ltd, through a senior secured amortising loan.

The transaction marks a significant milestone in the operationalisation of the Fund. The Credit Fund is one of three Funds under the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established by the AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to provide targeted transitional support to AfCFTA State Parties and private sector entities as they adjust to the requirements and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA Agreement.

Telecel Global Services, a subsidiary of the Mauritius based Telecel Group, provides wholesale voice and SMS services and enterprise connectivity solutions to more than 250 telecoms operators across Africa and globally.

With digital connectivity being at the heart of the trade and economic integration and success of the AfCFTA, this facility will support Telecel’s expansion in Ghana and Liberia, strengthen its infrastructure, and contribute to bridging Africa’s digital divide through enhanced connectivity and digital inclusion.

By investing in digital infrastructure in underserved markets, the Fund is helping reduce trade barriers, foster cross-boarder productivity and accelerate inclusive industrialization. Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman of the Board of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Corporation, stated: “

The closing of our first deal marks a historic milestone for the Credit Fund and the broader vision of the AfCFTA.

This US$10 million investment in Telecel Global Services is a clear demonstration of how targeted capital can drive meaningful impact—accelerating digital connectivity, enabling intraAfrican trade, and supporting private sector-led development in priority sectors.

It is our commitment to ensure that such investments continue to bridge critical gaps, stimulate economic resilience, and unlock Africa’s vast potential.”

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, noted: “This transaction demonstrates how the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund is beginning to serve its intended purpose – supporting State Parties and the private sector as we work to make this Agreement commercially meaningful.

By investing in digital infrastructure, we are addressing some of the most critical enablers of trade facilitation, industrialisation, and regional value chain development.”

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, added: “Today, we make another bold statement of our unwavering intent to ensure that Africans reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

We are proud to have commenced the operationalisation of the Credit Fund. With this Fund, we will provide vital support to African corporates, helping them retool and expand their operations necessary to capitalise on the AfCFTA opportunities.

The investment strengthens a critical enabler, the digital economy and regional connectivity, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to transforming the structure of the African economy.”

Marlene Ngoyi, CEO, FEDA, the Fund Manager of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, said: “This investment exemplifies the strategic intent of the Credit Fund – to catalyse growth and resilience in sectors that are vital for Africa’s structural transformation.

We are proud to partner with Telecel, whose operations directly advance intra-African connectivity and digital trade.”

The Credit Fund will continue to prioritise commercially viable investments that enable trade, support diversification, and promote inclusive growth in line with the broader AfCFTA implementation agenda.


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