Pan-African payments company awarded for its role in driving financial inclusion at the Annual Excellence in Fintech awards in Washington DC
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 13, 2022/ — Cellulant (www.Cellulant.io), Africa’s leading payments company, won the Award for Excellence in Embedded Fintech at the 7th edition of the Africa Fintech Summit in Washington, D.C., alongside the Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank last month.
The Africa Fintech Summit brings together diverse stakeholders in the fintech space, offering an avenue for exploration of ideas, mobilisation of investments, and collaborations across sectors and geographies. The summit highlights the issues and opportunities in African finance and the entrepreneurs driving the revolution on the world’s stage.
The awards ceremony dubbed the Annual Excellence in Fintech Awards recognises African fintech stakeholders to enable Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive financial inclusion and literacy through innovation.
Cellulant was recognised for building payment rails that enable access to financial services for both businesses and individuals, thereby offering a seamless payment experience.
Embedded finance is posited to accelerate growth and drive innovation across Africa. According to a report by Research and Markets, the embedded finance industry in Africa and the Middle East is forecasted to grow by 45.3% annually, leveraging on strategic partnerships to drive financial inclusion. By integrating financial products tailored to a user’s need within a business infrastructure, customers can access financial services faster and seamlessly. Users gain access to money-related services when they need them.
Commenting on the recognition for its embedded fintech solutions, Cellulant’s Chief Executive Officer Akshay Grover stated, “The payments market in Africa is growing rapidly, ranking second globally with digital financial services as a key driver. Consequently, this raised the level of financial inclusion to 43% in 2017 from 23% in 2011. For Cellulant, by providing the rails for global, regional and local businesses to own their financial journey, we’re unlocking opportunities for the people to become financially independent and empowered. We’re proud of this award as it is a testament to the excellent work our teams are doing across the continent in enabling the rails that power online and offline payments for all businesses and their customers.”
Cellulant powers collections and payouts for thousands of businesses in various sectors across 35 countries in Africa. The company provides their customers with more than 280 locally relevant payment methods, including mobile money, cards & banks. Key among these customers include Emirates, Bolt, Citibank and Booking.com.
Cellulant’s single API payments gateway, Tingg (http://tingg.africa/), enables global, regional and local businesses to collect payments online and offline while allowing anyone to pay from their mobile money, local and international cards or directly from their bank. Tingg powers payments for 220 million consumers on a single inclusive network, allowing interoperability across Africa.
On the panel ‘Embedded Everything’ discussing the impact of embedded finance, Milkah Wachiuri, Cellulant Group’s Chief of Growth, stated, “Whereas access to financial services is still a distant reality for many on the African continent, the strides made towards financial inclusivity in recent years have been significant. Embedded finance drastically reduces the adoption friction of financial products, shifting the payment experience for customers, and enabling realisation of financial and economic inclusion goals for more Africans.”
The Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS) honoured 14 standout African ecosystem stakeholders. AFTS’s US Partnerships & Sales Director, Sarah Chepkoech, revealed and awarded the prizes during the Networking Lunch Reception on Thursday, April 21st.
The transaction is a record global loan syndication for BOI, and marks the largest capital raise in its history, setting a new standard for developmental finance across Africa
LAGOS, Nigeria, December 3, 2024/APO Group/ —
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced its role as Global Coordinator, Lead Co-Arranger, Underwriter, Bookrunner, and Guarantor in the successful syndication of an up to €2 billion facility for Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria’s largest and most impactful development finance institution. The transaction is a record global loan syndication for BOI, and marks the largest capital raise in its history, setting a new standard for developmental finance across Africa.
Proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes including to finance trade and trade related projects of eligible corporates in Nigeria. The facility was syndicated at two levels with AFC, Standard Chartered Bank, African Export-Import Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, FirstRand Bank Limited, acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division (London Branch), Mashreqbank PSC, SMBC Bank International PLC, Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited, Absa Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division) and Export-Import Bank of India London Branch acting as part of a senior syndicate, together raising an initial €1.43 billion. Following this, AFC led a general syndication, through which an additional €447 million was raised, bringing the total transaction to €1.9 billion, representing an oversubscription of 87%. The facility is expected to further grow to €2 billion.
This landmark global loan syndication is significant for Nigeria and BOI, as the institution was able to successfully tap the international capital market at a time when credit is scarce and prohibitively expensive. It also highlights market confidence in BOI and AFC as leading financial institutions, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation between African financial institutions.
This successful syndication is a significant milestone achievement, not only for BOI but for Africa’s financial landscape as a whole
“This successful syndication is a significant milestone achievement, not only for BOI but for Africa’s financial landscape as a whole. We are proud to have played a central role in this historic global loan syndication, solidifying AFC’s position as a trusted bridge between global investors and infrastructure projects in Africa,” said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board member & Head of Financial Services at AFC. “Our sincere appreciation also goes to our Joint Coordinator and partner Standard Chartered Bank and all other banks that participated in making this transaction a huge success,” he added.
“This financing, the sixth international capital raising for BOI, is the largest fundraising in our history and the largest syndication in the history of African development finance institutions. A key constant in achieving this success is the continued support of our international funding partners, including AFC. We are grateful for the unique role that AFC played to make this transaction a success,“ said Dr. Olasupo Olusi, the Managing Director of BOI.
As part of the syndication, AFC leveraged its A3 (stable outlook) investment-grade rating, recently affirmed by Moody’s, to bring together an international consortium of financial institutions. The transaction aligns with the Corporation’s mission to provide pragmatic solutions that close the continent’s infrastructure gap, accelerate industrialisation, and enhance Africa’s economic resilience against global economic challenges.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
The process to appoint the new permanent Chief Executive Officer is well under way, managed by a Special Committee of the Board, and will be concluded within the first half of 2025
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, December 3, 2024/APO Group/ —
Creation of Interim Executive Committee to be chaired by John Elkann
New CEO will be appointed in the first half of 2025
Full year 2024 financial guidance confirmed
Stellantis’ success since its creation has been rooted in a perfect alignment between the reference shareholders, the Board and the CEO
Stellantis N.V. (“Stellantis” or “the Company”) (www.Stellantis.com) announces that the Company’s Board of Directors, under the Chairmanship of John Elkann, accepted Carlos Tavares’ resignation from his role as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
The process to appoint the new permanent Chief Executive Officer is well under way, managed by a Special Committee of the Board, and will be concluded within the first half of 2025. Until then, a new Interim Executive Committee, chaired by John Elkann, will be established.
Stellantis confirms the guidance it presented to the financial community on October 31, 2024, in respect of its full year 2024 results.
Stellantis’ Senior Independent Director, Henri de Castries, commented: “Stellantis’ success since its creation has been rooted in a perfect alignment between the reference shareholders, the Board and the CEO. However, in recent weeks different views have emerged which have resulted in the Board and the CEO coming to today’s decision.”
Chairman John Elkann said: “Our thanks go to Carlos for his years of dedicated service and the role he has played in the creation of Stellantis, in addition to the previous turnarounds of PSA and Opel, setting us on the path to becoming a global leader in our industry. I look forward to working with our new Interim Executive Committee, supported by all our Stellantis colleagues, as we complete the process of appointing our new CEO. Together we will ensure the continued deployment of the Company’s strategy in the long-term interests of Stellantis and all of its stakeholders.”
IFLR1000 is an internationally esteemed guide that ranks leading lawyers and firms based on their expertise and impact across practice areas
WINDHOEK, Namibia, December 3, 2024/APO Group/ —
Shakwa Nyambe, the Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated (www.SNCLawGroup.com), has been recognised as a Highly Regarded Lawyer for Oil and Gas in Namibia by the IFRL1000 rankings of 2024. He is specifically recognised for his exceptional work in the practice area of Projects: Energy, with a focus on the Oil and Gas industry, further cementing his reputation as a world-renowned Energy, Oil and Gas, Natural Resource and Commercial Lawyer.
IFLR1000 is an internationally esteemed guide that ranks leading lawyers and firms based on their expertise and impact across practice areas. Being ranked as a Leading Lawyer for Oil and Gas by this global institution places Shakwa among the most influential individuals in Namibia’s Oil and Gas sector and highlights his invaluable contributions to the field.
Shakwa Nyambe’s recognition is a reflection of his understanding of the complexities of the Oil and Gas industry and his ability to provide innovative solutions to clients navigating the challenges of this sector. As the Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, a full-service energy, natural resources, corporate & commercial law and dispute resolution law firm, Shakwa has built a legacy of excellence in the legal and commercial sectors. His experience encompasses, advising international corporations, state-owned enterprises, governments, and individuals in oil & gas, renewable energy, and mining projects, and provision of legal services in matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and corporate governance to project financing as well as rendering advisory services on general commercial matters.
To be acknowledged as a Highly Regarded Lawyer by IFLR1000 in Namibia for my work in Energy and Oil & Gas is a profound honour
Shakwa is the President-Elect of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) for the period 2024 – 2025 and will take over the Presidency for the period 2025 – 2026. His qualifications include, amongst others, a Master of Laws (LLM) in Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg and an Executive Diploma in Global Business (Master’s Level) from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
His expertise and strategic guidance have made him the go-to advisor for international oil companies, energy companies, mining companies. multinational corporations and local entities engaged in Namibia’s energy development.
This acknowledgment comes at a critical moment for Namibia, as the country is emerging as a significant player in the global energy market, driven by transformative discoveries in the Orange Basin by major international companies. Shakwa’s legal and strategic leadership has been instrumental in helping stakeholders capitalize on these opportunities while ensuring compliance with Namibia’s regulatory landscape.
Commenting on the rankings, Shakwa Nyambe stated, “To be acknowledged as a Highly Regarded Lawyer by IFLR1000 in Namibia for my work in Energy and Oil & Gas is a profound honour. It reflects not just my efforts but the dedication of the team at SNC Incorporated and the trust of our clients. This motivates me to continue raising the bar for legal and business excellence in Namibia’s oil and gas sector.”
As a globally recognized thought leader, he frequently engages in high-level dialogues on energy, corporate and resource law, sharing insights that shape policy and practice in Namibia and internationally.
As Namibia continues its rise as a frontier oil and gas producer, Shakwa Nyambe exemplifies excellence, driving the sector forward with vision, expertise and an unwavering commitment to his clients.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SNC Incorporated.
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