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Union Bank Launches Tech, Innovation Hub, Others Too

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Nigeria’s 105-year old financial institution, Union Bank, has launched SpaceNXT, a technological and innovation hub, in Nigeria’s seat of commerce, Lagos.
Also, American global tech payments giant Visa, during the week, built an innovation studio in Kenya as it seeks to help Africans develop digital solutions.
Let’s us get into details.
The world is more advanced in terms of technology but equally more unsafe. Are you surprised?
76 percent of organisations suffered downtime and data loss in 2021, according to Acronis Cyber Protection Week Global Report 2022.
The report, published during the week by Ripples Nigeria, cited system crashes, human error and cyberattacks as major causes of data loss by organisations in the year under review.
Acronis, which is a global leader in cyber protection, noted that organisations needed to combat the growing threat by deploying integrated cyber protection solutions.
Banks are stepping out to drive social change in the country. What is new in this light?
Nigeria’s 105-year old financial institution, Union Bank, launched SpaceNXT, a technological and innovation hub, in Nigeria’s seat of commerce, Lagos.
The bank revealed this on Friday in a press release forwarded to Ripples Nigeria.
According to the bank, the development was “to promote innovation and encourage collaboration within the tech ecosystem in Nigeria.”
Fintech is still king. And, Africa is benefiting from the investment stream. What do we mean?
Nigerian fintech startup, ImaliPay, during the week, secured a $3 million seed in debt and equity round.
The round, according to details of the deal, will fund the startup’s plan as it seeks to offer financial services to underserved gig workers across Africa.
ImaliPay, as an organisation, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to offer tailored financial products that promote the inclusion of gig economy platforms and workers across Africa.
Like ImaliPay, like Sycamore. If startups are to throw parties after every raiser, everyday will be a fiesta. What is the gist?
Sycamore, a Nigerian peer-to-peer loan firm, also raised investment, though undisclosed at the time of press.
The round was led by White Hibiscus Capital (WHC), a US-based venture capital firm, and saw the participation of other private investors.
While also empathizing with the people of Russia, the company whose headquarters is in Santa Clara, California, sent a message of support to its thousands of employees domiciled in Russia.
How else do one emphasise that fintech is king? Explains why we are having more founders in the space than any other sub-sector. How much is $11M in Naira?
During the week, ZirooPay, a Lagos-based agency banking startup, raised an $11.4 million Series A round led by local VC, Zrosk Investment Administration.
The investment, according to the startup, will help it expand its product features as well as accelerate its team’s growth.
The agency banking startup is an app-based platform deploying fintech solutions to facilitate payments.
Egypt is not left out. The sentiment is the same. And, the trend can only continue.
An Egypt-based health-tech startup, O7Therapy, closed a USD2.1M seed round during the week.
The round, which was led by Hikma Ventures, saw the participation of other angel investors including C-Ventures, and Lotus Ventures.
The health-tech startup is a refined, scientific, and research-based online platform, established to support mental wellness by developing trusted protocols for data encryption and storage.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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