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Leading Digital Payment Solutions Provider Network International Reports a Strong Strategic Execution with Q3 Revenue up 28%

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Network International

Network is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East & Africa, focused on helping businesses and economies prosper by simplifying commerce and payments

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 19, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The company, which operates across Africa and the Middle East, has seen another quarter of financial and strategic delivery, underpinning full year expectations; Figures include positive licensing updates to access new revenue pools; A record period of new wins with four new financial institution, totaling 13 year-to-date. Also signed first credit processing agreement in South Africa; Direct-to-merchant TPV in Africa (DPO) increased 30% y/y in constant FX.

Network International Holdings Plc, Q3 2022 trading update

Network International has announced a 28% increase in year-on-year revenue for Q3 2022. Network is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East & Africa, focused on helping businesses and economies prosper by simplifying commerce and payments.

Nandan Mer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We continue to make positive strides in executing against our strategy, delivering yet another high growth quarter with 28% y/y revenue growth. During the period we won record levels of new business in the UAE and continued our market entry in Saudi Arabia. I am also thrilled to see Network leading the industry with positive licensing updates in the UAE, Egypt, Kenya and Saudi Arabia, whilst continuing to strengthen our relationship with major customer Emirates NBD. We face the future with excitement knowing we have several growth levers available, supported by the scale, capabilities, people and trusted brand to fulfill our purpose of helping the economies and customers we serve to grow and prosper.”

Strategic update, twelve months post Capital Markets Day

The largest consumer payments business across the Middle East and Africa

Network is a high growth payments business operating at scale across countries with large consumer spending pools, young populations and an accelerating secular shift from cash to digital payments. It is the largest acquirer delivering payment services directly to over 150,000 merchants in the UAE, Jordan, South Africa and a further 20 markets across Africa. It also manages over 17 million digital payment credentials for over 200 financial institutions in more than 50 countries. Whilst operating at scale, Network remains a local business with on-the-ground presence in over 20 markets.

Successful delivery of strategic priorities

Network’s growth-oriented strategy is focused on scaling existing markets, targeting new markets, expanding capabilities and diversifying revenue streams. Its focus markets in Africa remain Egypt, South Africa and Kenya. At its Capital Markets Day in September 2021, Network set out a new strategy to drive faster growth and has already delivered on a number of key commitments:

  • Financial growth: on track to deliver 2022 financial guidance of 27-29%1 revenue growth and modest underlying EBITDA margin expansion; returning excess cash of up to USD 100m through a buyback.
  • Acquisition of Africa direct-to-merchant business (DPO): has broadly doubled e-commerce revenue, added alternative payment capabilities and accelerated SME signings across the Group.
  • Financial institution processing business: seeing record levels of revenue growth as a result of new customer wins, accelerated transaction growth and the cross-selling of value-added services.
  • Further growth opportunities: launching direct-to-merchant services in Egypt and have successfully started to establish contract wins in the commercial payments processing space.

Several regulatory approvals in African key markets

Network welcomed the increasing regulatory frameworks being introduced across its markets, having recently received approvals to provide direct-to-merchant business in two markets:  

  • Kenya: Network has been authorised by the Central Bank of Kenya to act as a Payment Service Provider and continue providing payment gateway services in Kenya, with direct-to-merchant services by DPO.
  • Egypt: Network has approval to operate as a payment facilitator and a payment service provider working through local Financial Institutions. It intends to launch direct-to-merchant payment services during the fourth quarter. (As a reminder, Network’s existing processing activities on behalf of financial institutions do not require a license).

Issuer Solutions business line review

Revenue driven by new business and digital transaction growth

Solid revenue growth is reflective of the large number of customers signed in the prior year and ongoing strength in the number of transactions, which has continued to grow throughout the year-to-date. Both the Middle East and Africa saw y/y growth in the number of credentials hosted and transactions processed, with performance in Africa being particularly strong.  

Signed four new financial institutions, totaling 13 new wins year-to-date

Network secured four new financial institution customers during the quarter. It also expanded its relationship with Access Bank to support the launch of their credit card services in South Africa.

New capabilities include the launch of commercial payments services

  • New business in commercial payments: Network has started to launch commercial card processing services with a number of wins in the space. The commercial payments landscape represents a potential new revenue pool and a cross-selling opportunity to existing customers.
  • Payment installment by SMS: introduced for two existing financial institution customers.
  • Partnership with Mastercard expands: having collaborated with Brighterion, Mastercard’s artificial intelligence arm, to provide fraud mitigating services which can identify anomalistic transaction behaviours and fraud monitoring.

Merchant Solutions business line review

Merchant Solutions revenue momentum in Africa

Africa (DPO Group): DPO saw TPV up 14% y/y or 30% in constant FX1, whilst revenue grew 16% y/y or 29% in constant FX1.Merchant signings have reached new record levels, supported by SME wins

New signings in Q3 reached record levels, above the rates seen in the first half of the year, with no significant customer losses. The pace of SME signings accelerated through the period, which has been supported through the recent launch of ‘DPO Pay’ services in the UAE and tap-on-phone signings, which allows a merchant to take payments through an app on their own mobile phone.

Enhancing capabilities and value-added-services

  • Roll out of the WooCommerce plugin for SME merchants: creating an online store, shopping cart and checkout in 48 hours.     
  • Introduced online government payments in Namibia: through proprietary N-GeniusTM gateway in partnership with Standard Bank.
  • Continued development of Unified Commerce services: enriching ‘Click & Collect’ services through the option to ‘Buy online and return in store’.
  • Extended longstanding data analysis partnership: with one of the region’s leading retail and shopping facilities operators.

DPO’s new capabilities broadening their merchant reach

Customer wins at DPO remain healthy with the group securing several key merchants in the period, including Radisson Blue, Homemark, KFC Ghana and Zamtel. DPO has integrated payment capabilities with Odoo, a widely used e-commerce software, simplifying the process for retail merchants to choose DPO as their payment provider. DPO has also partnered with IATA Financial Gateway (IFG), IATA’s global distribution system, widening their potential merchant customer base to a further one-hundred airlines including British Airways and Air Canada.

Egypt direct-to-merchant payment services launching before the end of the year

Network will soon be launching direct-to-merchant services in Egypt following approval of the relevant licenses by the Central Bank. As a reminder, Network is already a large-scale provider of processing services to financial institutions in the country. Direct-to-merchant services will be a new revenue opportunity which is expected to be built from 2023 and will be focused on SMEs and expanding existing relationships with large-scale customers in the region.

Growing acquirer processing business via partnerships across Africa

Network has extended its partnership with Tymebank to support the growth of the bank’s payment acceptance capabilities in South Africa through the roll-out of tap-on-phone payments; enabling its SME merchant customers to take payments using an app on their own mobile device. Similarly, Network has also further extended its acquirer processing offer through agreements with I&M Bank in Kenya and Access Bank in Ghana, expanding its acquirer processing services across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

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African Development Bank Partners with Interpol to Combat Financial Crime and Strengthen Anti-Corruption Efforts in Africa

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February 21, 2025

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African Development Bank

According to Interpol’s 2024 Global Financial Fraud Assessment, business email compromise, romance baiting, phishing, and other online frauds pose growing threats to Africa’s digitalized economy

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, February 21, 2025/APO Group/ –The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has taken a significant step forward in its fight against corruption and financial crime by signing a Letter of Intent with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) today. The Bank Group is the first multilateral development bank to establish such a collaboration with Interpol.

The Letter of Intent was signed on Wednesday by African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, who visited the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan.

The partnership will enhance collaboration between the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption (https://apo-opa.co/3QrB4ku) and Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. It will focus on sharing expertise, enhancing investigative capabilities, and developing preventive measures against emerging financial crime threats, including cybercrime, anti-corruption measures, and counter-terrorism financing.

This initiative comes as Africa faces significant challenges of illicit financial flows, estimated at nearly $90 billion annually—a loss of resources that could otherwise be invested in critical development needs including water, sanitation, health, food, and energy infrastructure.

As an institution that deploys approximately $10 billion annually in development financing, with the majority going to government projects, the African Development Bank Group brings crucial insight into regional financial flows and development challenges, Adesina said.

Corruption and financial crime are among the biggest obstacles to economic and social development in Africa and around the world

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to protecting development resources and ensuring they reach their intended beneficiaries,” said Adesina. “As the world’s most transparent financial institution for two consecutive editions (https://apo-opa.co/41o3TVt) [according to Publish What You Fund’s assessment of sovereign portfolios], we maintain zero tolerance for corruption and terrorism financing. By joining forces with Interpol, we are strengthening our capacity to help African countries build robust systems against money laundering and financial crime.”

Rapid advancements in digital technology have also led to an increase in internet-enabled financial crimes. According to Interpol’s 2024 Global Financial Fraud Assessment, business email compromise, romance baiting, phishing, and other online frauds pose growing threats to Africa’s digitalized economy.

Secretary General Urquiza, who was elected to his position in November 2024, said, “Corruption and financial crime are among the biggest obstacles to economic and social development in Africa and around the world. The evolving nature of financial crime, particularly in the digital environment, requires strong partnerships between law enforcement and financial institutions. Interpol’s closer relationship with the African Development Bank Group will help law enforcement agencies and financial institutions across Africa tackle increasingly sophisticated financial crime threats.”

Adesina said the Bank will continue to tackle these challenges by:

  • Building capacity and supporting African countries in strengthening transparent and accountable governance and strong institutions capable of driving inclusive and sustainable growth and resilient economies.
  • Strengthening Know Your Customer and Due Diligence systems to prevent and to fight fraud and corruption.
  • Ensure that the Bank’s resources are used for their intended purposes in a transparent and accountable manner, a practice that has led to the Bank being recognized for two consecutive editions as the most transparent multilateral development bank in the world by Publish What You Fund.

The high-level Interpol delegation that accompanied Secretary General Urquiza included Mr. Silvino Schlickmann, Director of Governance and Ms. Paule Ouedraogo, Head of Interpol’s Regional Bureau.

The African Development Bank Group was represented by members of President Adesina’s senior management team including the director of the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, Ms. Paula da Costa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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World-leading Crypto Event Launches APAC’s Largest Debut with Consensus Hong Kong 2025

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February 21, 2025

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Blockchain

Over 350 side events transformed mega digital assets event to mega festivities
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 February 2025 – Regarded as the “Super Bowl of Blockchain” and “the World Cup of Web3”, Consensus, the most influential and longest-running event of the crypto world, picked Hong Kong as a destination to expand beyond North America, with a record-setting debut of nearly 10,000 from over 100 countries and regions converging at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18-20 February.

Phoebe Shing, Director, Business Development Team Lead, MICE • MICE-Business Development of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “The tremendous success of Consensus’s Hong Kong debut marked the city as one of the most conducive destinations to expand the global footprint of proven events. More than a world’s meeting place, Hong Kong is also a super-connector in the world of finance, innovation and technology (I&T) and global cultures. This mega crypto event also puts Hong Kong on the forefront of accelerating the region’s advancement, while generating high-yield tourism spending and business activities to fuel Hong Kong’s economy.”

A convergence of who’s who in the world of blockchain, digital assets and web3

Asia’s top financial policymakers, crypto thought-leaders and investors shared the main stage with Mainland and world pioneers in blockchain, digital assets and web3 fields, defining what’s next and mapping the way forward for greater impact. The cast of stellar speakers notably included Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume; Adam Back, CEO and co-founder of Blockstream, a global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain technologies; Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Chairman Animoca Brands, a global leader in blockchain and gaming; Hong Fang, President of OKX, a leading Web3 technology company and leading crypto exchange, and many more.

Sara Stratoberdha, CEO of CoinDesk said, “Consensus has been running for over 10 years and is one of the longest-running and comprehensive digital assets events in the world. Hong Kong, a Fintech hub in Asia serves as a global center for crypto and web3 technologies, with favourable policies and a large pool of talent for blockchain, digital assets and web3 to thrive. We are thrilled to see that over 75% of attendees are coming from outside Hong Kong. A truly international event! The city has proven the ideal choice for expanding Consensus beyond North America.”

A strong line-up of over 350 side events, delivering huge commercial value

Consensus Hong Kong 2025 was embellished with more than 350 side events, giving the energetic global crypto community diverse opportunities to showcase their expertise, create and renew partnerships and party to the heart’s content.

Michael Lau, Chairman of Consensus Hong Kong, added, “The scale of the inaugural Hong Kong event has surpassed our expectations, with nearly 10,000 attendees and what truly surprised us is that the community and industry were eager to participate and the fact that we ended up hosting over 350 side events is a strong testament to Hong Kong as a leading global FinTech hub where we have a vibrant ecosystem, entrepreneurial spirits, innovative cultures that nowhere else can replicate. I am also appreciative of the support from the HKTB in securing the event for the city I call home.”

Transforming business events into mega festivals

Consensus Hong Kong also spectacularly transformed a leading business event into a mega festival, kicking off with its Opening Party – Rooftop Revelry, held at Cloud 39, the ultra-luxury rooftop ballroom of iconic landmark in Central The Henderson that set the tone for the event’s sophisticated networking occasions. Action continued all the way to its long-established tradition of Music Festival and Crypto Fight Night, extending to Hong Kong’s unique horse-racing and night party at Lan Kwai Fong. The conference concluded with a bang with the Consensus Closing Party in Lan Kwai Fong, where participants were treated to an open bar, live music and fun networking.

Brad Spies, Vice President of Consensus, said, “Hong Kong has a long legacy of finance, banking and some of the deepest capital markets in the world; but it’s also such a vibrant and diverse city with the best restaurants, fantastic venues and unique experiences. The city simply fulfilled the promises of delivering the best of business and fun. Hong Kong is such a world-class city for people to come and transform business events into mega festivals.”

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Saudi Arabia Expands Energy Ties with Africa: A Look at Key Investments, Partnerships

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February 21, 2025

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Following Saudi Arabia’s latest energy efficiency cooperation agreement with Egypt, the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference will provide a vital platform to accelerate partnerships and secure new deals between Saudi Arabia and African countries

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 21, 2025/APO Group/ –Earlier this week, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud signed an agreement to develop an executive plan for energy efficiency cooperation, strengthening bilateral ties in the energy sector and fostering sustainable development. This follows another significant development in September, in which Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly secured a $5 billion pledge from Saudi Arabia’s PIF, representing the “first phase” of a larger investment strategy.

As a leading global energy giant, Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in Africa’s energy sector, aiming to expand its energy reserves, advance energy diplomacy and compete with other global superpowers. This strategic push not only strengthens Saudi Arabia’s influence in the region, but also paves the way for deeper economic and political ties with African nations.

To date, the lion’s share of investment in Africa’s energy sector has focused on clean energy advancements. With total project costs reaching $7 billion across the continent, Saudi developer ACWA Power stands as the leading private-sector investor in African renewable energy. In October 2024, the company announced that its Redstone solar plant in South Africa was set to achieve its full 100 MW capacity, while its Kom Ombo solar PV plant in Egypt successfully reached its full capacity of 200 MW. ACWA Power is also leading Project DAO, South Africa’s largest hybrid renewable power plant, with an $800 million investment. The project is expected to come online by 2026 and aligns with the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 goals.

In addition to renewable energy, Saudi Arabia is diversifying its investments to secure critical minerals for clean energy technologies. In October, Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Ma’aden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), entered advanced talks to acquire a minority stake in First Quantum Minerals’ Zambian copper and nickel assets. The potential investment, valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, underscores Saudi Arabia’s strategy to secure critical minerals that are vital for the global clean energy transition.

Turning to broader regional commitments, Saudi Arabia’s financial support for Africa’s energy infrastructure has grown. In October, the Kingdom announced a major funding initiative, pledging at least $41 billion for sub-Saharan African nations. This includes $1 billion for development, $5 billion for startups, $10 billion in financing from the Saudi Export-Import Bank and $25 billion in private sector investments over the next decade.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Energy has established the “Empowering Africa” initiative as part of its broader commitment to supporting sustainable development across the continent. In collaboration with the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Health, the initiative aims to deliver clean energy, connectivity, e-health and e-learning solutions to enhance lives and promote long-term growth in Africa. Building upon the Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking Program, it focuses on providing cleaner cooking solutions to vulnerable populations, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels and improve health outcomes for millions of households. Minister bin Salman Al Saud has emphasized energy as a fundamental human right and is spearheading efforts to improve access to clean cooking technologies across the continent.

Additionally, state-owned petroleum company Saudi Aramco is strengthening its partnerships with African nations to support energy investments and mobilization. These collaborations are expected to drive infrastructure development, enhance oil and gas production capacity and facilitate knowledge transfer between Saudi and African energy stakeholders, while aligning with broader energy security and sustainability goals.

In the multilateral arena, the African Energy Chamber is working with Saudi Arabia to support South Africa’s G20 energy investments and mobilization. This partnership is set to facilitate greater financing and policy coordination, ensuring Africa’s energy priorities are well-represented in global energy discussions. The upcoming African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town serves as a key platform to facilitate and support these investments, bringing together Saudi stakeholders, African governments and global energy leaders to advance new projects, strengthen partnerships and accelerate the continent’s energy transition. These collaborations are essential in addressing energy challenges, driving economic growth and fostering long-term sustainability. As Saudi investments expand – alongside those of other G20 nations – their impact on Africa’s energy landscape will only deepen.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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