E-Financial
Orange Accelerates Mobile Financial Services in Africa with CECOM Launch

With the recent receipt of Electronic Money Establishment licenses (EME) in four countries (Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea), Orange has further strengthened its position as a major player in the mobile financial services segment in Africa.
This change of status is accompanied by the creation of a new organization, CECOM, which provides mutualized risk and compliance management for its mobile money activities in these countries.
A Favourable Environment
In 2015, noting the significant growth of mobile money services within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) published an update of the regulatory framework related to such services.
This change, initiated in similar fashion by the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG), encourages telecommunications operators to obtain an EME license in order to conduct their mobile money operations within a broader framework of responsibility.
It was in this context that Orange filed license requests with both Central Banks and received EME status in early 2016 in four countries: Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.
Each EME, licensed by the Central Bank of its territory, is an autonomous subsidiary controlled by the local telecom operator.
The EME: ensures the issuance, management and distribution of electronic money for Orange Money; manages the compliance policy. (The EME is effectively taking over this role from Orange’s partner banks who previously carried this responsibility); coordinates requests to the Central Bank for the launch of new functionalities and monitors overall activity.
This status gives Orange more autonomy and agility, enabling it to offer customers increasingly innovative services in a shorter amount of time.
CECOM, a fundamental role in risk management and compliance
The Group has set up a dedicated organization, CECOM, to provide risk management for the business scope of the EMEs.
Based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, CECOM reports to the Orange Group and provides second-level control for the Orange Money business.
It serves Orange’s EME subsidiaries, which provide first-level control. CECOM is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts with advanced skills in banking, telecommunications and information technology.
Orange strengthens its position as a major player in mobile finance
The compliance challenges of Orange Money as regards financial and banking regulations are still recent to Orange.
The creation of the CECOM to deploy a mutualized policy for managing risk and conformity issues is an important milestone which demonstrates Orange’s maturity in this segment. Orange Money’s global operations now represent major stakes in a growing number of countries. In Côte d’Ivoire, Orange Money amounts to as much as 10% of the operator’s revenues.
Marc Rennard, deputy chief executive officer in charge of Customer Experience and Mobile Financial Services, announced: “With this new milestone, mobile financial services become an integral part of Orange’s DNA. The licenses received from the Central Banks together with our investment in the CECOM are testimony to our commitment to this diversification, which will benefit our customers who use Orange Money services several million times each day.”
Bruno Mettling, deputy chief executive officer of the Orange Group and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: “By securing EME status, we are able to further develop the Orange Money business, which lies at the heart of our mission of being the strategic partner for the digital transformation in Africa and the Middle East, with the objective of generating more than 200 million euros by 2018. Today, the Orange Money customer base represents 5% of all customers in this market worldwide. Acceleration is already in progress, in particular with the opening of new corridors to expand our international money transfer services.”
E-Financial
FIRS Decries Cross-border Tax Crimes

Dr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has stated that cross-border tax crimes had undermined effort of countries to raise revenue for development.
He added that cross-border tax crimes distorted fair competition because compliant companies pay a higher cost for business and appear less profitable.
He also challenged global leaders to tackle the rising cross-border crimes that have disrupted revenue mobilisation and economic growth. Adedeji threw the challenge while delivering a keynote address at the 42nd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crimes (CIDOEC) held at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The symposium has, for over four decades, been a crucible of ideas, a forge for strategies, and a platform where countries chart a collective course against the impact and threat economic crimes pose to countries and institutions.
The global meeting was attended by about 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including legislators, policy makers, law enforcement agencies, security and intelligence personnel, regulators, governance and compliance officers, and academics.
Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS boss, Dare Adekanmbi, in a statement, said Adedeji was represented by the Coordinating Director of Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows and immediate past chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.
“This year’s theme ‘Cross-Border Crimes’ speaks directly to one of the most complex and corrosive challenges of our interconnected world. “In a global economy where capital can move faster than law enforcement, and where digital and legal arbitrage often outpace regulation, the fight against crossborder economic crime is, by necessity, both local and global, both urgent and pressing.
“Modern day cross border crimes remind us that borders and boundaries have become virtual and distance irrelevant to the perpetration of crime and the negative impact on victims,” said Adedeji, who is also the Special Adviser on Revenue to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On corporate or natural citizens who evade, avoid, fraudulently manipulate tax obligations by exploiting the intricacies of international trade or international finance, the FIRS boss said they have become implicated in cross border crimes.
He said: “When corporate or natural persons earn income in one country but hide same in another country, when they deceive, conceal or falsify records, they undermine the integrity and fiscal aspirations of the two countries they are manipulating. “When they hide income and assets in secrecy in some jurisdictions to avoid home-country taxes, they are hurting the fiscal target of home country.”
E-Financial
NGX Suspends Three Firms over 2024 Financial Results

Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has suspended three insurance companies on the exchange for failure to release financial results for the 2024 fiscal year.
The affected underwriting firms are Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, and Universal Insurance Plc.
As a result of the embargo, shareholders and other investors will not be able to trade their stocks on the local stock market, according to a notice signed by Obioma Oge for the Head of Issuer Regulation Department of the NGX.
In the statement, it was disclosed that the effective date for the suspension of the three organisations was Monday, September 1, 2025.
It was in line with Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, (Default Filing Rules), which provides that if an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the cure period, the exchange will: a) send to the issuer a second filing deficiency notification within two business days after the end of the cure period; b) suspend trading in the issuer’s securities; and c) notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the market within 24 hours of the suspension.
However, the embargo may be lifted if the trio released their outstanding financial statements for “the year ended December 31, 2024.”
E-Financial
SEC Launches Redesigned Website to Boost Transparency, Investor Safety

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has officially launched its newly redesigned website, marking a significant step toward enhancing digital engagement, regulatory transparency, and investor protection.
The regulator, in a statement on Monday, said the upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience aimed at investors, market operators, and the general public.
According to the SEC, the new platform features improved navigation, consolidated resources such as regulatory guidelines and publications, and a mobile-friendly design.
“This comprehensive upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience,” SEC said.
“The restructured platform ensures critical information is better organized and more accessible for all stakeholders, including investors, market participants, and the general public.
“Key enhancements include an intuitive menu and site structure for finding information quickly.
“Consolidated Resources: Key documents, regulatory guidelines, and publications are now easier to locate. A responsive design optimized for desktop and mobile devices.
“The initiative underscores the Commission’s ongoing commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and improved stakeholder engagement.”
According to Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of SEC, the website redesign reflects “our dedication to continuous improvement in service delivery and communication”.
“This digital advancement is a significant step in building a more transparent and accessible Commission, enhancing our engagement with the capital market and the investing public,” Agama said.
Also speaking, Samiya Usman, executive commissioner for corporate services at SEC, said the focus went beyond aesthetics.
“By simplifying access and logically organizing content, we have created a powerful platform that supports our mission to develop and regulate a fair, efficient, and transparent capital market,” the commissioner said.
The SEC urged stakeholders to explore the website and use its features to access regulatory updates, news, and services.
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN Nigeria Empowers over 3,000 Customers with ₦579m in Mega Billion Promo
- News2 days ago
Suri’s Memoir Sparks Visionary Dialogue with Zimbabwean Ministers on Africa’s Future
- E-Financial2 days ago
Union Bank of Nigeria Completes Merger with Titan Trust Bank
- E-Financial2 days ago
AMMBAN Faults CBN’s 60-day Deadline on PoS Geo-Tagging
- News2 days ago
Adlantique Named Nigeria’s Best in Digital Marketing, Content Creativity @ 2025 Beacon of ICT Awards
- General News2 days ago
Airtel Africa Foundation Presents Nigerian Students with Tech Scholarships
- General News2 days ago
CAC Postpones New Fee Implementation
- Telecom2 days ago
Switch Solutions to Lead Cybersecurity Innovation @GITEX Nigeria 2025