E-Financial
Firms Launch Clari5 to Stem Frauds in Financial Institutions
CWG Plc and Customer XPs Software have launched new sophisticated software that provides real-time detection and prevention of cyber threats into the market.
The software, known as Clarii5 is a real-time intelligence solution that provides real-time anti-fraud and anti-money laundering capabilities on a unified real-time intelligence platform. It is also a fraud detection, monitoring and prevention solution that monitors suspicious patterns across transactions, events, users, accounts, systems in real-time and responds with the right action to pass or block transaction, or generate real-time alerts for manual investigation.
Moruf Yusuf, chief technology officer, CWG, said Clari5 would help the financial industry to checkmate the threats of digitisation while benefitting fro the global trend.
He explained that the partnership with CustomerXPs started in 2019 to ensure that Nigerian banks and other financial institutions have access to globally acknowledged technology to tackle cybercrimes.
He outlined that the product, which has also been launched in Ghana has started off to well as it has already on-boarded one of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria and three Ghanaian banks.
“We are also in discussions with other banks in Nigeria too to see how we can bring them on our platform. We are able to do this because we have a solution that can prevent fraud in real time online. Other solution competitors in this space do not have the kind of superior technology that we have and for that our clients are happy that they came onboard with us.
“Beyond that, we have actually done so many Proof of Concepts (POCs) and we are sure that before the end of this year, we are going to add more logos to the list of clients that we have,’ he added.’
“We have also been able to customise our solution to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) requirements. Beyond that, we have good local support and interestingly, we are not affected by the dollar regime and because of this unique partnership, we are able to accept local currency payments. We are also connected to all the payment channels so that if any transaction is to take place, we are the first to know and to determine if it is fraudulent or not.
“Other solution competitors in this space do not have the kind of superior technology that we have and for that our clients are happy that they came onboard with us,” Yusuf said.
Rivi Varghese, chief executive officer, CustomerXPs Software, described Clari5 as an “intelligent soul” for financial transactions as it uses the the best of technology to help financial institutions achieve their financial crime risk management.
According to him, Clari5 real-time intelligence solutions are deployed enterprise wide using commodity hardware in some of the biggest global banks with the solution suite providing real-time anti-fraud and anti-money laundering capabilities on a unified real-time intelligence platform.
“CWG is in partnership with Clari5 to help African banks combat financial crime in real-time. When economy start growing, financial growth start increasing in the country, and fraud happens. This is a moment of growth for Nigeria because the best of technology for crime management is meant for Nigeria and that’s why we’re working with CWG
“Based on our experience, we are a global category leader and we have 60 banks as a subscriber. You know, in almost every bank, they will recover a couple of multiple times their investment in the same year itself in terms of preventing frauds. So, let’s say, for putting a solution like this, they spent $10; they would have recovered $40 to $50 in one year” Varghese said
He explained that the software would be connected to everything in the financial institution starting from mobile, internet banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), banking hall among others adding that the software is constructed in a way to identify details of the customers before agreeing to a transaction.
“When the details of the customer do not correspond or when there are too many enquiries on the customers’ details or there is a suspicion on the transaction, it automatically blocks the account of the customers to ensure it is not hacked.
“This is why we are bringing this concept to Nigeria because payment is slowly becoming faceless and with the unprecedented growth of cybercrime, there is a need to leverage on this concept so that the severity of fraud is reduced,” Varghese said.
Mr. Olatunji Kehinde, business director, Financial Service Institution, CWG, noted that as digitization leads to increased expansion and aess, there are also developing threats.
He identified cybercrime as one of such threats that must be talked in order to ensure that customers can transact e-commerce and other electronic transactions confidently.
“We are all opportune to be alive at this wonderful time in history. Wonderful because we’re seeing the growth of technology more than ever before affecting all spheres of life in a very transformative way. But as that expansion and transformation is going on, there are challenges and threats. One of these threats-cyber security threat; is one of the greatest risks to the evolution of what we call the fourth industrial revolution
“So our job is to help our customers to be able to engage confidently in this new era. You want to do ecommerce, you want to do electronic transactions, you can do it confidently knowing that you have the platforms and the tools to keep your company and your customers safe and secure,” Kehinde said
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.
PAT Taps Osi as CEO
Africa Launches PAPSSCARD, First Pan-African Card Scheme
Burna Boy Distances Himself from Meme Coin, Labels Crypto as Fraud
NCC Introduces N10m Licence Fee for Bulk SMS Service
MTN Nigeria Targets $1Bn Cloud Market with Largest Modular Data Centre
Lebara, New Operator Enters Nigerian Telecom Arena, Sells Minutes, Not Airtime
Why I am vying for AFRINIC board seat in 2025 election – Terry Edet
Moniepoint Demonstrates Commitment to Nurturing Africa’s Future Leaders
AfCFTA Positions Africa to Tap into $712bn Digital Trade Market by 2035
ALTON Clarifies on Migration to End-User Billing for USSD Services
Broadcasting1 day agoNigeria Week Ahead: Inflation, Oil and Naira in focus
News1 day agoEFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading
General News4 hours agoWoodhall Capital and Partners Launch ₦1.5Bn Fund
Broadcasting7 hours agoA Billion-Dollar Obsession in 90-Second Bites
News4 hours agoFirstBank, NLNG, Shell back QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit
General News4 hours agoAM Best Reaffirms Stable Outlook for Cyber Insurance Market
News4 hours agoExperts Urge MSMEs to Build Strong Partnerships in Solving Problems,
E-Financial4 hours agoAfrica Launches PAPSSCARD, First Pan-African Card Scheme