News
Growing Ride-hailing Sector to Boost Vehicle Sales

While vehicle sales in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are expected to continue on a downward spiral this year, the burgeoning ride-hailing industry in the region offers automakers and car dealers an opportunity to develop a new sales market.

This is according to the Sub-Saharan Africa Autos Report, compiled by credit intelligence provider Fitch Solutions, which provides a landscape of vehicle sales in the region, trends and a forecast for the market.
The report includes the Autos Sales Risk/Reward Index, which ranks the relative attractiveness of the market for vehicle sales activities, based on several ‘risks’ and ‘rewards’.
The report forecasts the region’s vehicle sales market is expected to slow by 5.6% year-on-year, from 930 000 units in 2021, as countries struggle to record full economic recovery, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Q1 2020.
This is still an improvement, compared to a contraction of 23.5% in 2020.
The commodity prices, along with high used vehicle prices (given the SSA market is dominated by imported used vehicles which are in short supply amid the global chip shortage), will see continued strong headwinds for vehicle sales, notwithstanding strong upside risk by the end of the year if currencies strengthen.
However, it notes the blossoming ride-hailing sector in the region has the potential to save the market, by becoming a key driver of a new vehicle sales vertical, as it allows for income earned through rides to contribute towards down-payments for new vehicles.
“Automakers and car dealers have an opportunity to tap into this sector by partnering with financial intermediaries, such as commercial banks and fintech start-ups, to offer tailor-made vehicle financing solutions intended for ride-hailing services.
“For example, in August 2021, Uber, along with Moove, raised $23 million to offer drivers and prospective vehicle owners financing options based on key metrics, such as the number of rides performed and income generated from rides completed.
“Vehicle repayments are then deducted from the borrower and the remainder of the balance is debited to the borrower’s Uber account. We believe this offers a less risky way for the financial sector to extend loans intended to purchase new ride-sharing vehicles in the region,” notes the report.
According to Fitch Solutions, the majority of markets in SSA are characterised by low incomes and high borrowing costs, which impedes the development of a new vehicle sales market.
In addition, liberal regulations with regards to the importation of used vehicles add more pressure to the development of a new vehicle sales market.
Under the ‘vehicle ownership per 1 000 people’ indicator in the Autos Sales Risk/Reward Index, the average number of vehicles owned in the region is 30. In 2021, the majority of countries in the region had 30 vehicle owners or less per population of 1 000 people, including SA (35), Botswana (50), Gabon (50), Zambia (20), Côte d’Ivoire (5), Namibia (25) and Angola (5).
While SA’s ride-hailing market is dominated by international players Uber and Bolt, over the past few years the industry has seen increased competition, with new African start-ups, such as InDriver, DiDi, NextNow, Taxi Live Africa and Africa Ride entering the market.
“The opportunities presented by the ride-hailing sector in SSA offer automakers and car dealers a source of demand for a wide range of vehicle types to tap into. For example, high passenger capacity ride-hailing services would give rise to demand for minibuses, by tapping into a market currently serviced by traditional and well-established but highly-informal transport operations,” notes the report.
It also highlights some short- to medium-term risks to the favourable outlook for ride-hailing in SSA. These come in the form of regulatory pushbacks from governments and retaliatory actions such as intimidation tactics against the deployment of ride-hailing services by existing public transport operators.
News
Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.
The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.
Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.
According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.
Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.
“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.
She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.
“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.
Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.
The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.
News
IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.
Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.
She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.
According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.
The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.
Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.
News
CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.
The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”
The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.
Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.
He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.
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