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Access Bank Commences Accelerator Program, To Empower Startups Through Africa Fintech Foundry

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The Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF), an initiative of Access Bank Plc has commenced its accelerator programs.

The initiative is set to empower emerging startups, with mentorship programs, advisory and has committed N10 million in cash to the top three finalists.

The accelerator program which opened its entries last month received 306 registrations and after rigorous assessments were later shortlisted to 30 participants.

These finalists were further screened by the Head of the Africa Fintech Foundry, Mr. Daniel Awe; Group Head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank, Mrs. Ayodele Olojede; and Vice President, Investments MBO Capital, and Fintech Consultant, Mr. Oshone Ikazobor, in a bid to narrow it down to 10 -15 finalist.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Awe said the AFF was committed to empowering startups with resources and ensuring start-ups are equipped to scale their businesses.

He said: “If a start-up has an idea and you throw it into a market of 42 million customers, the acceleration is going to be faster. So, it is using the entire ecosystem of our group to build the future of the country.”

“In the next 10 years, these guys coming here we see them becoming a unicorn worth over $100 million and a season is coming where would see these startups becoming the next drivers of our economy.”

On funding available for the start-ups, he added: “Funding is based on ideas and what would be required to move the idea forward. We have a commitment of about N10 million. After they come into the accelerator program, there are a top-three but the other ones are going to be exposed to investors.

“This initiative would have a direct impact on the economy because it is targeted at the medium scale businesses and these are the businesses that can change economies in terms of reducing employment rate and socioeconomic levels.”

Also speaking at the event, the Head, Retail Product Insight and Capabilities, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Rob Giles said: “We are looking for companies with ideas that can solve real-world problems and were we are different from venture capital firms is we offer an environment where startups can be supported, nurtured, advised and get access to people who are further ahead on their journey like mentors.

“We have seen three companies that can go all the way and our job is to make sure they stay the course and structure their foundations from the very beginning that would allow them to scale.”

Furthermore, speaking to one of the participating startups, the Founder, Farm Delight Ms. Love Uduma, a start-up focused on the agriculture value chain from production to distribution and consumption said this platform is an impactful stream for startups to get support from.

On her expectation, she said: “I am expecting tech support and a good relationship with the tech community. We have the agricultural aspect covered but we need the technical assistance and also funding.”

BIG STORY

Transcorp Power Plc Records 775% PBT Jump In Q1 2024 With Impressive Revenue Growth

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Transcorp Power Plc (Transcorp Power), one of the electricity generating subsidiaries of Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate, Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), has demonstrated impressive financial performance in its released Q1 2024 unaudited financial statements, for the period ended March 31, 2024.

The Company recorded N67.86 billion in gross earnings, compared to N21.04 billion reported in Q1 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 223%.

The strong performance is further demonstration of the Company’s strategic focus and effective execution, as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.

Highlights of Transcorp Group Results

Q1 2024 Revenue N67.86 billion, up 223%, compared to N21.04 billion in Q1 2023.

Profit before Tax rose by 775%, amounting to N28.77 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N3.29 billion in the same period last year.

Profit after Tax grew by 665% year-on-year to N20.1 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N2.6 billion in the same period last year.

Total assets grew to N276.2 billion in Q1 2024, up from N223.3 billion in Q4 2023.

Commenting on the financial highlights, Evans Okpogoro, the Chief Financial Officer said, “The Q1 2024 results saw a gross margin of 51%, a cost to income ratio of 70% and net profit margin of 30% compared to Q1 2023 gross margin of 37%, cost to income ratio of 87% and net profit margin of 13%. This highlights the remarkable operational efficiency gains of the Company. Transcorp Power has continued to grow its revenue aggressively and consistently over the last five years. We expect that by year end 2024, we will see a similar growth trajectory recorded between FY 2022 and FY 2023.”

Transcorp Power MD/CEO, Peter Ikenga, commented on the results, “We are pleased to report further robust financial performance, despite sectoral challenges such as gas supply issues and macroeconomic challenges. Our ability to sustain growth amidst this environment shows the resilience of our business model and the efficient execution of our strategic initiatives.”

“We remain committed to leveraging our strengths to capitalise on emerging opportunities, drive sustainable growth and provide superior value to all our stakeholders. We will continue to prioritise ingenuity, operational excellence, corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement, to deliver superior value for our long-term growth”. He added.

About Transcorp Power Plc

Transcorp Power Plc is an electricity generating subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), one of Africa’s leading, listed companies, with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors.

Transcorp Power is committed to creating value and driving economic growth, by improving lives through access to electricity and transforming Africa.

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BIG STORY

Hydrogen, CCHub Partner To Encourage Fintech Startup Success

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As the country faces economic challenges, the need for adaptive strategies in the fintech industry becomes paramount. In line with this, leading fintech startup Hydrogen Payment Services Limited (‘Hydrogen’) has teamed up with Co-creation Hub (‘CcHub’) to host an insightful event themed ‘Adapting Fintech Business Models to Economic Climates’.

The event is set to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 12:00 a.m. WAT at the CCHub office in Sabo, Lagos, will delve deep into the intricacies of Nigerian economic challenges and how these influence the fintech ecosystem. Participants will gain actionable insights on how to adapt fintech business models to volatile economic conditions by prioritising flexibility, agility, and customer-centricity.

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both entities to empower aspiring founders venturing into the fintech space amidst economic uncertainties. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, Hydrogen and CcHub aim to equip
emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economic conditions.

Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer at Hydrogen, commented on the strategic partnership with CcHUB: “Our alliance with CcHUB amplifies our shared commitment to pioneering transformative solutions in the Nigerian fintech sector. By leveraging Hydrogen’s technological expertise alongside CcHU’s innovative approach, we are primed to set a new standard for fintech excellence and drive impactful change across the industry.”

The event will feature a distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders. including Ina Alogwu, Group Director, Digital Transformation, ARM HoldCo; Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer, Hydrogen; and Miracle Ezechi, Digital Marketing Manager, Hydrogen.

The panel discussion will be moderated to encourage an engaging and insightful conversation on the strategies and innovations required to thrive in the Nigerian fintech landscape amidst economic challenges.

Interested attendees are encouraged to register here and reserve a spot.

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BIG STORY

Ooni Of Ife Extends Business Frontier With Audacious Takeover Of TINGO! [PHOTOS]

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Coca Cola, Pepsi, American Cola & all other popular brands in the soft drink sector & energy drink sector should get set for an immense battle royale, which would be to the great advantage of the consumers, as the newest brand to come into that sector arrived with a massive bang yesterday! And to the admiration of all.

Tingo set of drinks launched on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at their expansive HQ, to the admiration of all to loads of unprecedented razzmatazz/fanfare with consumers greatly giving kudos for a good job well done.

Only 2 out of 9 variants were launched yesterday. The Tingo Cola & Tingo Electric Energy drink. And already people are anticipating the other variants with bated breaths! As they were quite impressed with what they have experienced already!

To state a fact without mincing words, the taste was amazing, as was the international style packaging, too, in reusable cans, with health considerations playing a major part in the production. Sugar content was exact without affecting the taste!

Even the name of the brand Tingo is also titillating, to say the least.

All of the 9 varieties of impressive drinks are set to be unleashed powerfully into the market pretty soon like a takeover by the company now captained by none other than his imperial majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, Ooni-Orisa Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife.

The astute businessman cum royal father is said to have bought off the company from the former owner and has deliberately kept the fascinating name of the brand.

The amiable monarch, who is a youth advocate/encourager in all ramifications, who believes fervently that the sky is the beginning, and not a limit as it concerns any endeavour one finds in his/her hand to do, spoke at the launch, thus:

‘Nigeria can lead the entire continent of Africa to compete favourably in the global market with standard goods and services, particularly when it comes to carbonated drinks, beverages, and the likes’.

Ooni went further to say that Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric; a Flavoured Carbonated and Energy drinks, respectively, produced by Tingo B.V PLC is a spin-off company from Ojaja Pan Africa Limited, explaining that Nigeria has a lot to offer the world.

“It has been my dream from childhood to have a homegrown brand that will satisfactorily produce international quality drinks that will serve Nigerians, and present the country as a leader in the African market and on the global stage.

“Currently, we have the license under which we are producing Tingo Cola, Tingo Electra, Tingo Twist (Cucumber and Cranberry) and Tingo Booze Fruit mix. All of which are produced and packaged in Nigeria with recourse to our values and standards. All to be properly integrated with Ojaja bitters, Orange, Lemon/Ginger/Orange drinks. Also, most importantly, we should all work towards elevating our homegrown brands instead of demarketing them.”

Speaking further on his involvement in the commercial activities through these products, Ooni Ogunwusi said, “I have taken it upon myself to step into the market not as businessman but as a pathfinder who will show our people how to add value for international standard in production to distribution and consumption. It is a new model that will be a win- win for everyone.

“With this, I am targeting a total of five million direct and indirect jobs for the youths, particularly through retailing, recycling, and other forms of distributorship fully driven by technology. The youths are drivers of this initiative, and we are determined to achieve this purpose through a unique, proven technology and innovation. Under our Unified ecosystem of “the more we are together, the happier we shall be”

 

 

 

 

 

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