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Tag: SMEs

  • Ecobank Group Emerges Global Finance’s Best Bank For SMEs In Africa 2024

    Ecobank Group Emerges Global Finance’s Best Bank For SMEs In Africa 2024

    Ecobank, the leading pan-African Banking Group, has announced that it has won the Best Bank for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa 2024 award in Global Finance’s annual SMEs Bank Awards.

    It said the recognition at the ceremony on February 20, 2024 at Glaziers Hall in London, United Kingdom (UK), reflects Ecobank’s unwavering commitment to meeting the specialised needs of SMEs across its diverse markets.

    Also, one of its affiliates, Ecobank Nigeria emerged Best FX Bank under the Country and Territory Awards category for Nigeria. Global Finance says Ecobank Nigeria emerged winner based on transaction volume, market share, breadth of offerings and global coverage, as detailed in public company documents and media reports from Nigeria.

    “Our criteria also include subjective factors such as reputation, thought leadership, customer service and technology innovation, using input from industry analysts, surveys and corporate executives, among others.”

    Acting Group Executive, Ecobank Commercial Banking, Carol Oyedeji, said: “This award recognises the strength of Ecobank’s support for Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to thrive and grasp the immense intra-African trade opportunities created by the AfCFTA’s single market.

    “In addition to our comprehensive suite of banking, payments, collections and financing solutions, we also offer invaluable non-financial support, such as business leadership and skills training, and our innovative matchmaking platform connecting traders, buyers, sellers and suppliers across Africa.”

    She added that in spite of the volatile foreign exchange (FX) challenges, Ecobank Nigeria displayed the highest levels of transparency, maintaining high transaction volume and retaining its market share in the country.

    In recent months, Ecobank has further expanded its lending capacity to meet the financing needs of SMEs through strategic initiatives, including a US$200 million risk-sharing agreement with the African Guarantee Fund and a US$32.8 million loan facility from eco.business Fund and the SANAD Fund for SMEs.

    Global Finance selected the winners for the 2024 Best SME Bank Awards based on entries submitted by banks and independent research, supplemented by insights from industry insiders, executives, and technology experts.

    This latest recognition adds to Ecobank’s growing list of accolades, including being named Africa’s Best Bank for SMEs in Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023, continuing the success from the previous year.

     

  • Five Nigerian Researchers Present Groundbreaking E-Governance Research at International Conference

    Five Nigerian Researchers Present Groundbreaking E-Governance Research at International Conference

    Five Nigerian researchers made significant contributions at the 17th International Conference on the Theory and Practice of E-Government (ICEGOV2024), held in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Organized by the United Nations University and UNESCO, the conference drew over 336 participants from 49 countries, highlighting the global importance of digital governance.

    Representing Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized that the researchers’ involvement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to leverage technology for economic diversification and enhanced governance.

    Abdullahi noted the significance of Nigeria’s representation at ICEGOV2024, where only 85 of the 157 submitted papers were accepted. He stressed that the insights gained from these research efforts could drive technological innovations crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification and governance improvements, advancing President Tinubu’s vision. He also reiterated NITDA’s commitment to supporting research initiatives that position Nigeria at the forefront of global advancements in digital governance.

    The five researchers showcased pioneering studies aimed at enhancing e-governance and promoting economic growth through technological innovation. Key highlights of their work include:

    • Hassana Asuku presented her research, “Bridging the Broadband Gap,” which focuses on reducing the digital divide in rural areas. Asuku proposed a comprehensive strategy to improve broadband access, enhancing economic inclusion and civic engagement—critical to the government’s push for digital growth.
    • Adeyinka Patrick Adewumi explored the issue of low digital competency in the public sector. His research, “Digital Competency in the Public Sector,” proposed a model for targeted digital skills training and infrastructure upgrades to accelerate digital transformation among civil servants.
    • Dr. Agbali Mohammed discussed Scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), identifying institutional barriers to deploying effective DPI in Nigeria. His research emphasizes the need to enhance public-private partnerships and improve regulatory frameworks.
    • Dr. Tanimu Mukhtar Garba introduced the Taxpoynt platform in his research on Tax Compliance for SMEs. The platform is designed to simplify tax processes for small businesses, recognizing the significant role of SMEs in Nigeria’s economy.
    • Dr. Salihu Dasuki Ibrahim focused on Citizens’ Freedoms in E-Governance. His study examined how Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) can enhance citizen liberties, addressing challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure and data privacy concerns.

    The contributions of these researchers not only elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global digital governance landscape but also reinforce the nation’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable economic growth and improved governance.