Telecom
Zedvance Targets Threefold Growth in Lending After Disbursing N120bn to SMEs
Adedayo Amzat, Group Managing Director of Zedcrest, parent company of Zedvance, has announced a strategic shift in the firm’s asset deployment, committing 100 per cent of its active loan portfolio to small and medium enterprises and critical ecosystem enablers.
This is in a major move to address the financing constraints plaguing Nigeria’s mid-market enterprises.
Amzat made this disclosure on Tuesday at the Zedvance Business Roundtable themed, “Unlocking Growth: The Role of Smart Financing in Building Resilient Businesses.” The high-profile event brought together business leaders, industry professionals, and key economic stakeholders to explore how sector-specific financing and innovative lending can drive sustainable business growth in Nigeria’s evolving macroeconomic landscape.
Addressing the gathering during his keynote, Amzat emphasized that while public attention is often captured by massive corporate initial public offerings (IPOs), the true engine of the nation’s economic survival rests on the shoulders of mid-sized operators.
“The people gathered in this room, and the ecosystems that you all represent in one shape or form, are the true drivers of the Nigerian economy,” Amzat declared, highlighting the resilience of entrepreneurs navigating a challenging operational terrain.
“I am deeply honored to be standing in front of people who are fighting day and night, tooth and nail; people who often cannot get the right sort of financing, who cannot access the adequate land capital required to execute projects, or who cannot secure enough corner shops to set up petrol stations”, he added.
Addressing the historical challenges of managing credit risk in a volatile environment, the GMD explained that Zedvance is pioneering “ecosystem-linked solutions.” This model leverages structured partnerships with corporate aggregators to safely funnel liquidity to clustered smallholders in sectors like agriculture, automotive distribution, and energy.
“Let’s strip away the corporate jargon. It simply means: let’s grow the economy together. If you are in the automotive ecosystem, for example, how can we work together to make the ecosystem itself a high-performing engine? We want to grow the pie together so that your individual portion becomes significantly larger, rather than fighting to be the sole survivor in a tiny, shrinking market,” Amzat explained.
The roundtable served as the launchpad for Zedvance’s aggressive 18-month growth strategy. Transitioning from its foundational roots in high-velocity retail consumer lending, Amzat announced a massive capital deployment target to scale up corporate and production-focused enterprises.
“Outside of our physical infrastructure—our computers, desks, and chairs—every single item on the asset side of our balance sheet consists of active loans,” Amzat revealed to stakeholders.
Also speaking, Executive Director, Commercial Solutions, Zedvance Finance, Ayooluwa Oladimeji, noted that , “Over the next 18 months, his firm will be deploying ₦500 billion to deepen their support for growth-ready enterprises. A business loan enables an enterprise to scale production, hire 100 more individuals, and distribute more goods, multiplying the macroeconomic impact a hundredfold compared to a single consumer loan”, he added.
Oladimeji, assured entrepreneurs that they do not need to exhaust their timelines engaging with rigid, traditional commercial banking structures that overcomplicate the borrowing process. “As a core member of the Z Crest Group, we possess access to deep, continuous local and international financing lines. Our primary task is simply to design the right credit frameworks; the capital is ready for deployment,” he added.
The roundtable featured three high-level panel discussions that brought deeper sector-specific context to the framework of smart capital intervention.
The panel on Food and Health Systems was moderated by a seasoned Business Manager in Agribusiness and Commodities, Folasade Toromade. The discussion featured key industry operators, including the Managing Director of IBBDS Group, Dauda Oladele; the Managing Director of 5ivers Outgrowers, Adeyemi Akinyemi; and Mobolaji Ajayi. The panel analyzed critical bottlenecks in local commodity supply chains and health distribution networks.
“Achieving real food security and resilient health networks requires funding structures that go straight to the root of production. When we cluster smallholders and outgrowers with structured credit, we directly lower input volatility, eliminate middlemen inefficiencies, and naturally insulate the market from crippling food inflation.”
Another vital session focused on navigating the fast-changing Energy Business and managing rising operational realities. This panel was moderated by the Manager of Legal and Compliance at Zedcrest Group, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and brought together a robust lineup of leaders: the CEO of Rivy, Damilola Olawoye; Senior Business Executive, Emmanuel Rominiyi; Senior Business Manager, Commercial Solutions at Zedvance Finance, Daniel Ajayi; and Jide Pratt.
“With the post-subsidy cost of energy, businesses must structurally optimize their energy portfolios to protect their margins. Smart financing solutions—especially asset financing tailored for renewable energy arrays and commercial solar deployment—are no longer just long-term alternatives; they are baseline prerequisites for corporate survival today.”
A third panel rounded out the day’s specialized tracks by tying sector realities back to national fiscal and monetary frameworks, analyzing policy tools such as the foreign exchange market float and recent tax reforms. The specialists agreed that while transitional friction is high, removing distortionary interventions yields a far more predictable playground for genuine builders.
Following the panel sessions, which analyzed recent fiscal and monetary reforms in Nigeria, including fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the foreign exchange market, Amzat provided a concluding perspective on the broader economic outlook.
While acknowledging that the Central Bank’s tightly controlled monetary policy presents a steep hill for manufacturers, he expressed strong optimism that the policy lag would eventually tame inflation and lower borrowing costs across the board. Special emphasis was placed on funding value-addition sectors such as domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy to shield local businesses from foreign exchange shocks.
Concluding the session, the GMD reiterated that the institution’s success is tied strictly to the survival of its clients. “Our products are data-driven and structured like an objective checklist: you input the client data and the use of funds, and the pricing model generates an honest rate. We win only when our customers win,” Amzat said.
MENXTT TECH NG, a Lagos-based technology company, has launched an initiative to make quality Dell laptops more affordable for Nigerians through flexible payment plans and extended warranty support.
The company said the initiative was aimed at helping students, entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses acquire reliable computing devices despite rising technology costs.
According to the company, customers can now purchase premium pre-owned Dell Latitude, Dell Precision and Dell Inspiron laptops at competitive prices, with selected models available under staggered payment arrangements.
The laptops, it said, are designed to meet the needs of users ranging from students and office workers to architects, engineers, software developers, graphic designers and video editors.
Speaking on the initiative, the Co-Founder of MENXTT TECH NG, Mr Anthony Emeka Nwosu, said access to quality technology should not be limited by financial constraints.
“A laptop is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for education, business and career development.
“Unfortunately, many people are forced to settle for unreliable devices because of the high cost of new laptops.
“At MENXTT TECH NG, we want to bridge that gap by providing durable Dell business laptops at affordable prices, backed by a full one-year warranty and flexible payment plans.
“We want every student, entrepreneur, freelancer and business owner to have access to technology that helps them succeed,” he said.
Nwosu explained that every laptop undergoes comprehensive testing before delivery and comes with a one-year warranty, an original charger, a complimentary laptop bag, Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft Office Suite pre-installed.
He added that the company, an authorised Bitdefender Antivirus reseller in Nigeria, also installs genuine Bitdefender security software on every system to protect customers against cyber threats.
According to him, customers requiring additional productivity tools can also have licensed Foxit PDF software installed on their devices.
Nwosu said the flexible payment option was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities, enabling customers to spread payments over an agreed period.
He noted that the arrangement would make it easier for students, startups and growing businesses to acquire quality computers without placing excessive pressure on their finances.
Beyond laptop sales, the company provides information technology consultancy, computer repairs, software licensing, cybersecurity solutions and digital transformation services to organisations across Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by making dependable computing devices and enterprise technology solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.
According to him, the initiative reflects MENXTT TECH NG’s vision of combining affordability, quality products and professional after-sales support to help more Nigerians participate in the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. (NAN)
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, representing the Director General of NITDA, delivers a goodwill message at the 20th International Conference on Technology and Computing (RISE 2026) in Jos, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital innovation, strategic collaboration, and a technology-driven future for Nigeria.
The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026, held in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders examined strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital transformation would depend on sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships.
According to him, collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions capable of improving governance, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.
Onumo said NITDA remained committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, innovation ecosystems, cyber sovereignty and emerging technologies.
He added that the agency was expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms designed to encourage collaboration, investment and technology-driven enterprise.
“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.
He urged innovators, startup founders and technology professionals to participate actively in the forthcoming Builders Summit by showcasing indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as a critical driver of governance and economic development.
Mutfwang said his administration had adopted digital solutions to improve public service delivery, modernise government operations and enhance internally generated revenue.
He also identified technology as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, increased productivity and improved food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference translate into practical outcomes for national development.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was organised to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators, technology professionals and industry leaders.
Sirajo said the conference, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” focused on exploring how innovation could accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as among the technologies shaping the future of economies across the world.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive economy through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners, technology professionals and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on policies and innovations aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.
Telecom
Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa
In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s technology retail sector, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN, will on Monday, August 3rd, commission a landmark ASUS Flagship Store in partnership with Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group Konga. The state-of-the-art facility is widely regarded as the first initiative of its kind in West Africa.
The commissioning will witness the visit of senior executives from the world-renowned technology brand to Nigeria, including EMEA General Manager, Mr. Aaron Tsai, alongside other. One of the purposes of their visit is to reinforce the strategic partnership with Konga and solidify the collaboration between both organisations, further demonstrating ASUS’ commitment to the Nigerian market.
The event is expected to also bring together key stakeholders from government, the technology industry, business community, and the media for what promises to be a defining moment in the evolution of technology retail in the region.
The development comes as Konga continues to accelerate its strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology brands.
For years, Nigerian consumers have demanded more than just access to genuine technology products. They have increasingly sought immersive experiences, expert guidance, after-sales support, and greater confidence when making technology investments. The next chapter in this journey appears to address many of these expectations in a bold and innovative way.
The forthcoming announcement is expected to bring together global innovation in a manner that reflects the changing realities of today’s technology consumer. It also reinforces the growing confidence that leading international technology companies continue to place in Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategic digital markets.
Industry analysts note that partnerships of this nature are becoming increasingly important as consumers place greater emphasis on authenticity, hands-on product experiences, technical support, and trusted purchase channels. Beyond selling devices, the future of technology retail lies in building complete customer experiences.
As anticipation builds for Monday, one thing is certain: the ASUS-Konga partnership promises to set new standards for tech retail in West Africa, elevating customer experience and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital transformation narrative.
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