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Nigerian startups making international connections

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One of the most exciting things to see in 2019 is the fact that there are more and more companies originating from Nigeria that are starting to become more successful But, the most exciting thing to see is that they are not just starting to be successful locally, but are starting to make international connections. International connections are not significant just because they bring attention to the country, but because these are able to access larger pools of investment capital and thus are able to offer their better services to more people and, possibly even internationally. In order to bring the good news to everyone who needs to hear them, we are giving you a list of companies that have managed to garner some international attention and international clientele. The number and variety of companies are all over the place, so we are not going to be going into detail about them. We are just going to talk about how some of the companies are managing to get international attention by providing a list of games at Playamo Australia, getting investment from large international banks, or other interesting stuff.

Nigerian startups making international connections

A Nigerian logistics company

Kobo360 is a Nigerian freight logistics company that is aiming to change how things are transported in, out and around the country. It has a fleet of strong vehicles that transport freight goods all across the country and it has been active for a relatively short time. But this time, it has managed to garner the attention of local businesses as one of the most reliable businesses to deal with if you are looking to transport goods from one point in the country to the other. So, when the company decided to go looking for financial investment, it was easily able to show off its capabilities and portfolio to some of the biggest international investment banks. While there were companies that were not really interested in investing in the African region, there were those who saw value in it. After all, the local economy is one of the growing ones in the world, and it is showing quite a lot of promise. Which is where Goldman Sachs decided to intervene. It is not easy to transport freight goods across Africa. There are many issues that a driver faces on the way. Lack of infrastructure, issues with local bureaucracies, corruption often get in the way of a successful business. But, Kobo360 has somehow managed to avoid having to deal with these problems on a day to day basis successfully. This became enough of an impressive feat for the investment bank that it decided to invest $20 000 000 into the company, thus giving it the ability to grow to a size that would allow it to serve not just the entire country, but the entire region. The company is thus expected to become much more profitable over the next few years and contribute to the local economy in a much more significant way. With more people employed, more trucks deployed and more work to be done, this i\ a great development for Nigeria and the Nigerian economy, as much as it is an incredible success for Kobo360.

Nigerian FinTech

But the logistics companies are not the only ones getting attention on the international stage. Some of the most successful companies from Nigeria and some of the most successful start-up industries within the country have been the FinTech companies that are springing up left and right within the country. These Fintech companies are looking to start offering new kinds of services to Nigerians in order to make their lives and their work easier and cheaper. It is a hard thing for FinTech to take off in a country where a significant portion of the population does not employ electronic devices, but the population that does have these devices is demanding these apps. As a result, more and more Fintech companies are starting to appear within the industry, and it is getting crowded.

But while people do not know what to expect of the industry and don’t think it will be successful in any significant way, the proof of the success of the industry is rearing its head on its own. According to reports, recently the industry within Nigeria managed to raise around $300 000 000 within a year, and grow by 60% without much international help. And as the growth continues, so will the international attention continues to increase. It is an exciting time for the Nigerian Fintech companies that are looking to expand, as international investment banks are starting to look into getting to work with them, in order to produce positive results for the company. It seems like the Fintech industry within Nigeria is only going to be growing, as companies move outside of the borders of the country and expand their operations to other areas of Africa with significantly enough developed infrastructure to handle the internet and electric requirements to support this industry.

 

 

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SMEs Dev: Firms Launch N100m Loan Scheme 

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The Coalition of Microlending and Cooperative Institutions in Nigeria (COMCIN), the umbrella body of non-bank microfinance institutions and cooperative societies in Nigeria, in partnership with NEAT Microcredit, has unveiled a N100 million joint loan facility aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.

The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA),  said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.

Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.

“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.

He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.

According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.

“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.

Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.

He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.

“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.

He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.

“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.

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Yenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready  December   — NCDMB, Other 

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The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has expressed confidence that the five-star Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, would be completed and commissioned this December .
He said this while addressing visiting top executives of Edison Corporation  and Megastar Technical and construction company at the conclusion of a one-day project management tour and workshop at the headquarters of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, weekend.
The Board in a statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications said  all other stakeholder assured of the delivery of world-class services in the hotel upon it’s completion.
Ogbe described the hospitality facility as a top priority project of the Board whose progress he would be following up every day and week.
“This project is critical to the Board, critical to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Nigeria. With this hotel becoming functional at the end of the year, I believe there will be tourism in Bayelsa State, and that’s one of my dreams.
“When I took up this job as Executive Secretary in December 2024 I said I must make this hotel work”, the NCDMB boss said.
He commended the team from Edison Corporation and the project contractor, Megastar Technical and Construction Company, for the quality and pace of work, adding “much is required from the Management to meet up the schedule delivery
“Most of the critical aspects of the project have been resolved in terms of mark-up room, scope of work in terms of financing and contracting strategies”
The Board’s  Scribe said he was sure all hands would be on deck to ensure that work proceeds unhampered.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Edison Corporation, Mr. Vivian Reddy, said the team from Edison Hotel Group was very excited to come into a contractual arrangement with NCDMB, assuring the project will put the city on the world map.
“What is so important with the group Radisson International is that, if anyone around the world looks for Radisson Yenagoa, they will see this place pop up, and it’s going to help to uplift the area in terms of visitors and tourism.
“Our role is to make sure we deliver a world-class quality hotel from start to finish. We will open the hotel, we’ll furnish it. We’re working with the main contractor to make sure the facility meets world-class standards”, he said.
Speaking on the sealing of the contractual deal with the NCDMB, he noted it took great efforts, saying “getting Radisson in the agreement was not easy, and it took several months and cumulative one and a half years of discussions and documentation”.
The Edison boss, who is reputed to be the first South African businessman to lead a high-level business delegation from that country to Nigeria during the tenure of President Thabo Mbeki in 1999, was full of commendation for the NCDMB boss, describing him as “a great and visionary leader”.
“The vision and dream of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB are going to become a reality.  We’re going to help him and make it a reality and it’s going to be the best hotel in this region”, the   boss noted.
Mr Reddy also commended the project contractors and professional teams involved, stating that his team has every confidence in their technical competence.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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RIRS Sets Tomorrow As Deadline For Individual Tax Returns Filing    

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The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has set tomorrow as the deadline for the filing of  all  Annual Individual Income Tax Returns  for all taxable residents of the state.
This was contained in a public notice  by the Service to the taxable residents of the state in compliance with statutory provisions.
The notice was signed by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Sir Israel O. Egbunefu, and made available to the public in Port Harcourt recently.
 Egbunefu stated that the directive was in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, which mandates individuals to declare their income for the preceding year of assessment.
 According to the notice, the obligation covers all categories of income earners, including employees in both the public and private sectors, self-employed individuals, business owners, and professionals operating within the state.
The agency reiterated that the timely filing of tax returns remains critical to promoting transparency, accountability and efficient tax administration in Rivers State.
 It further noted that compliance with tax obligations plays a vital role in enabling the government to meet its developmental goals and provide essential public services.
 RIRS urged all eligible taxpayers to ensure that their 2025 tax returns are properly completed and submitted through its approved channels before the stipulated deadline .
The Service warned that failure to comply with the directive may attract penalties and other sanctions as prescribed by relevant tax laws.
 It also stated its commitment to enforcing compliance while maintaining a taxpayer-friendly approach in its operations.
 Taxpayers requiring assistance were advised to visit any RIRS office or access its official platforms for guidance on the filing process.
The agency assured residents of continuous support, including professional advisory services, to facilitate a seamless and stress-free compliance experience.
 The notice forms part of ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Government to strengthen revenue generation and enhance voluntary tax compliance across the state.
 Residents are therefore encouraged to take advantage of the available support systems and meet the deadline to avoid unnecessary penalties.
By:  King Onunwor
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