Connect with us

General News

UBA Signs EUR 234M Oil and Gas Financing Deal in Sénéga

Published

on

Kindly share this post

United Bank for Africa has secured a EUR 234 million oil and gas financing deal with SAR (Société Africaine de Raffinage) of Senegal in a move that underscores its capacity to fund big ticket transactions across Africa.
UBA Senegal will avail SAR, the National Refinery of Sénégal a total facility of EUR 234 million in three parts, under the financing deal, secured after a rigorous bid process involving other financial institutions.
The first part is a crude oil financing facility of Euro 180 million, followed with a short Term Loan of Euro 54 Million to finance stock and receivables and then a Receivable Financing Facility of Euro 60 Million.
The official signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Energy and was witnessed by the Senegalese Minister of Energy, Samuel SARR, Mr. M. Carmello SAGNA, CEO of SAR and a delegation of UBA which included CEO UBA AFRICA, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and Managing Director, UBA Senegal, Mr. Jean-Luc Konan.
According Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, CEO UBA Africa, the transaction is the largest outside of Nigeria and comes on the heels of UBA’s lead role in the US$265million supplementary refinancing deal for Exxon Mobil and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “We are positioned to support governments and institutions actualize growth and development potentials in Senegal and across Africa, thus making UBA a financial partner of choice for major players in the oil and gas sector in Africa” Olaoluwa said.
M. Samuel, the Senegalese minister for Energy while commenting on the deal, said the development is historical for Senegal and for UBA Group.
“The UBA/SAR deal demonstrates the increasing importance of intra-African finance, with African institutions ready and willing to provide long term and sophisticated financial solutions to African clients. The transaction also underlines the strong relationship between Nigeria and Senegal, and brings with it the potential for the refining of Nigerian crude by SAR” the minister said.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

General News

EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.

EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,

This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.

He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.

Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.

Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.

About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.

The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Summit Factory Opens in Ogun, Targets Hygiene Market Expansion

Published

on

L-r: Sadiq Ali, General Manager, Summit Household Solutions Limited; Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, Onikotun of Otun, Ota; Hon. Wasiu Adewale Lawal (FCA), Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota LGA; Mr Kehinde Akintomide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Ogun State; and Mojeed Maaradesa, Manufacturing Manager, during the commissioning of the ultra-modern factory by Summit Household Solutions Limited in Ota on Thursday.
Kindly share this post

Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.

The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.

Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.

He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.

Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.

He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.

Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.

Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.

Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.

The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.

US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.

Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.

A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.

Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.

The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.

Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending