Connect with us

General News

IFC Announces New Projects to Support MSMEs Through the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa

Published

on

Kindly share this post

IFC has announced four new projects to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa and globally. The projects will help businesses address food insecurity across the continent and trade financing gaps and will support increased agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Announced at an event held by the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, the projects underscore IFC’s commitment to supporting smaller businesses, job creation, and private sector development.

The new projects announced by IFC include:

The MSME Finance Program: This multi-year initiative will provide up to $5 billion in financing to create increased capital and to mobilize financial markets as greater sources of development finance globally.

Specifically, the program will increase lending to women entrepreneurs, MSMEs contributing to food security, first-time MSME borrowers and MSMEs in vulnerable regions affected by climate change. It will support MSMEs in fragile and conflict-affected situations as well as those in Middle-Income Countries (MICs). Through the program, IFC will earmark $250 million to fund the resilience and protection of MSMEs in small island nations.

The Africa Agriculture Accelerator Program: An estimated 140 million people in Africa face food insecurity and despite an abundance of natural resources and arable land, the continent imports $35 billion in food each year.

This Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa initiative will provide financing to agribusiness companies to support their growth and expansion and ultimately foster more local food production and contribute to greater food security.

The program will help agribusinesses to access finance, improve productivity, and increase competitiveness in local and international markets. Through the program, IFC will finance up to $1 billon and reach up to one million hectares of land over the next three years.

EBRD Pilot Start-Up Project: Announced in partnership with EBRD, one of the Alliance’s seven core members, the Pilot Start-up Project will facilitate increased capacity building, mentoring, networking, and funding for early-stage enterprises, incubators, accelerators, and seed funds in North Africa.

Risk Distribution Partnership: A joint Alliance initiative between IFC and Proparco, the partnership will help facilitate greater access to sustainable trade finance for emerging African markets and develop deeper intra-Africa trade.

In Africa, trade costs can be as high as 300 percent of the value of the merchandise being traded. Through the partnership, Proparco will participate for up to $500 million in IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP).

“We are pleased to announce these new projects as part of our ongoing commitment to support MSMEs, including through the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa. These initiatives will help to increase access to finance, improve productivity, and build resilience for MSMEs, which are critical for economic growth and job creation,” said IFC’s Managing Director Makhtar Diop.

 


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

General News

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

Published

on

Kindly share this post

World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.

Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.

Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.

The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.

Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.

According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.

The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.

Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.

Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.

The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.

The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.

The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

Published

on

Kindly share this post

LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.

By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.

Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.

LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.

The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.

For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.

For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.

At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.

According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.

“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”

Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending