General News
SAHCOL Seeks Govt’s Support in Developing Africa’s Air Cargo Hub
Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), fastest growing cargo handling company in West Africa, while appreciating the on-going transformation in the nation’s aviation industry also believes that more efforts are needed in the quest to make Nigeria the air cargo hub in Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during the Company’s press conference and facility tour of the ultra-modern cargo warehouse in Lagos, Mr. Oluropo Owolabi, managing director of the Company, said that, the areas that require government’s viz a viz Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attention include expansion of the cargo tarmac, exemption from spare parts wavers as given to airlines, among others.
Owolabi who appreciated the efforts of Princess Stella Oduah, minister of Aviation in moving the industry forward, stressed that the bond that has endeared the government and the private sector to each other should be heightened for the benefit of the country, especially in the nearest future.
“For instance, the expansion of the cargo tarmac will benefit both us the private sector, the clients and the government. There is no how the tarmac will be expanded that it will not increase the revenue of the government,” he noted.
According to him, SAHCOL needs “assistance from FAAN in those areas in order to complement the work the minister had already done. This is to allow us join hands in moving the industry forward.”
He opines that the Cargo tarmac expansion was earlier awarded to a contractor but was left undone,
“When you know there will be much gain for the sector, projects like this should not take the government much time and much money to expand the tarmac. The tarmac needs to be fixed,” the SAHCOL chief stressed.
He added that as investors in the sector and taking into consideration the nature of the cargo job and the equipment on ground, “sometimes we do 45 minutes turn around depending on the needs of our clients.
The minister should assist in ensuring that the waivers is corrected so that there can be improvement on our own part. There is no gain in investing and not having good turnover,” he said.
However, on expanding the cargo business internationally, Owolabi told aviation journalists that the company is willing to expand to an extent where they can operate at any given temperature level, be it raining, sunny or when the weather is dew. “We want to be recognized for the best internationally,” he said.
The MD also showered encomiums on Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, chairman of the company and other board of directors of SAHCOL for assisting the company to reach its present level.
Meanwhile, during a facility tour of on-going 20, 000 sqaure meter warehouse project, by the management of the company, Muhammed Mahmoud, the project supervisor, described the warehouse as will have 18 loading bays, cold room/freezers, among other automated machines to be installed.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that construction of the first phase of the project, apparently, on 15,000 square meter site, started in May 2012.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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