EFT Corporation (EFTCorp), a trusted partner in modern banking, was honoured with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Fintech Enablement’ award at the 15th Africa Bank 4.0 Summit – West Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, on 26-27 February 2025. The award recognises EFTCorp’s role in advancing fintech innovation and expanding financial inclusion across Africa by providing cutting-edge payment solutions and infrastructure for banks and financial institutions.

As a lead sponsor of the summit, EFTCorp actively contributed to key discussions around West Africa’s digital banking evolution, tackling issues such as interoperability, open banking, and the role of fintech in bridging financial gaps. The company’s commitment to innovation was highlighted in various panel discussions and presentations, including:

• Carlin Wicomb, Chief Sales Officer, who delivered a presentation on Empowering Banks through Fintech Collaboration: Unlocking Innovation in Payments and Merchant Services.
• Catherine Korsten, Chief Commercial Officer, who moderated a panel on Securing the Future: Biometric Authentication in West Africa’s Digital Transformation.
• Farai Tigere, Managing Director for Zimbabwe, who joined a panel on Beyond Mobile Money: Building a Broader Financial Inclusion Strategy for West Africa.
• Carlyn Commey, Regional Head of Business Development for West Africa, who contributed to a discussion on Supercharging West Africa’s Economy: The Real-Time Payments Revolution.

EFTCorp’s commitment to West Africa’s digital finance evolution

Receiving the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Fintech Enablement’ award reinforces EFTCorp’s role in West Africa’s payments modernisation journey. The region has seen a surge in neobanks, mobile money adoption, and real-time payments – the company’s solutions have been instrumental in helping financial institutions modernise their operations while ensuring secure, efficient, and scalable payment infrastructure.

Carlyn Commey, who represented EFTCorp at the awards ceremony, emphasised the company’s dedication to financial inclusion in the region. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to supporting banks and fintechs with innovative, tailored solutions that drive financial access and economic growth. West Africa is a priority growth region for EFTCorp, and we are excited to continue working alongside local partners to build a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.”

Expanding EFTCorp’s footprint in emerging markets

With West Africa’s fintech market projected to grow significantly in the coming years, EFTCorp is expanding its presence to support banks and fintechs with modern payment solutions. The rise of regulatory sandboxes, digital identity initiatives, and mobile-first financial services across the region presents vast opportunities for financial institutions to scale. Through its expertise in API-driven payment processing, mobile money interoperability, and secure transaction platforms, EFTCorp is solidifying its role as a leading fintech enabler on the continent.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between legacy banking infrastructure and next-generation payment solutions,” says Commey. “By working closely with banks, regulators, and fintechs, we ensure that our technology meets market needs while driving seamless financial services for businesses and consumers alike.”

As West Africa accelerates its digital banking transformation, EFTCorp remains a key player in shaping the region’s payments landscape.

Africa’s energy sector continues to show resilience and dynamism, with capital expenditure (CapEx) on oil and gas projects remaining a key driver of growth. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (EnergyChamber.org/) State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report, investment remains strong in 2025, with total CapEx estimated at $43 billion, while long-term projections indicate an increase to $54 billion by 2030 – reinforcing Africa’s position as a critical player in the global energy market. As African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 prepares to convene key industry players in Cape Town, these investment trends will be central to discussions on accelerating project development, securing capital and ensuring Africa’s energy industry remains competitive on the global stage.

According to the report, West and North Africa continue to lead CapEx spending, with West Africa contributing over 50% of the continent’s total expenditure from 2023 through the decade. Established oil producers such as Nigeria and Angola remain dominant, while emerging players like Mauritania and Senegal are attracting increasing investment. The continent’s rich liquid hydrocarbon resources continue to draw the majority of capital, accounting for over 60% of total hydrocarbon investment through 2030. However, natural gas is gaining momentum, with its share of CapEx rising to over 40% by the end of the decade. This shift underscores a major theme of AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, positioning Africa as a competitive global gas hub while reaffirming oil’s role as a pillar of economic growth and energy security.

Looking ahead, onshore projects are expected to attract the majority of investment, accounting for 56% of total CapEx by 2030, driven by lower unit costs and increasing interest in onshore natural gas monetization. This trend is reflected in drilling activity, with onshore drilling remaining dominant – comprising 80% of the 1,060 wells drilled in 2024 – while offshore rig demand continues to rise, reaching an estimated 46 rig years in 2025. At AEW: Invest in African Energies, industry leaders will explore how these shifting investment patterns can accelerate energy security and infrastructure expansion across the continent.

Exploration is also on the upswing, with over 150 wells completed in 2024 and heightened activity in southern Africa, particularly in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Africa is emerging as a leader in global high-impact drilling, with exploration spending surpassing $6 billion in 2024, largely driven by major discoveries in Namibia and continued investment in North and West Africa. This momentum is expected to continue as multiple licensing rounds are planned across the continent, with Nigeria, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Libya, Algeria, Tanzania and Liberia among the countries opening new blocks for development. With exploration serving as a key catalyst for new investments, AEW 2025 will serve as a critical platform for showcasing frontier opportunities and securing new project financing.

Africa’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape remains dynamic, following a significant rebound in 2024 and driven by global energy majors rationalizing their portfolios. Regional players and national oil companies (NOCs) are taking on a more prominent role, acquiring assets from majors and expanding their footprint in key markets like Angola and Nigeria. West Africa continues to dominate M&A activity in terms of deal value, followed closely by North Africa. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern and Asian NOCs are ramping up their investment in African assets, further diversifying the investor landscape. As consolidation reshapes Africa’s energy sector, AEW 2025 will provide a vital forum for dealmaking, fostering new partnerships and strengthening the role of African players in the global market.

As the African energy sector evolves, the upcoming AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will serve as a critical platform to drive investment discussions and facilitate deal-making. With global energy markets shifting and Africa’s vast oil and gas resources remaining underutilized, the continent presents a compelling case for increased foreign direct investment. AEW 2025 will provide the platform for stakeholders to explore opportunities, forge new partnerships and position Africa at the forefront of the global energy transition.

“Africa’s energy sector is entering a new era of growth, driven by strategic investments and a commitment to monetizing our vast resources. With $43 billion in capital expenditure projected for 2025, the continent is proving that it is open for business and ready to compete on the global stage. AEW 2025 will be the premier platform to drive these investment discussions and ensure Africa’s energy industry remains resilient and dynamic,” said Ore Onagbesan, Program Director for the African Energy Chamber.

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.

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark ‘International Women’s Day 2025’, through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 – 2024) expressed, “Happy International Women’s Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world!

Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.

Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women’s Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as ‘More Than a Mother’, ‘Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement’, ‘Educating Linda’, and ‘STEM Program’.”

“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.

“I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,230 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.

I am especially proud that we have awarded over 680 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women’s health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.”

Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.

“I am happy to share that through our “Educating Linda” Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are contributing to the future of over 700 girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more.

Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film & fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women’s empowerment tomorrow”, emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej.

Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.

“Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,” emphasized Dr. Kelej.

Only 12% of organisations feel ready for agentic AI workflows, despite significant investments, underscoring critical data and infrastructure challenges

Philadelphia, March 5, 2025 – Qlik^®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics and artificial intelligence, today announced findings from an IDC survey exploring the challenges and opportunities in adopting advanced AI technologies. The study highlights a significant gap between ambition and execution: while 89% of organisations have revamped data strategies to embrace Generative AI, only 26% have deployed solutions at scale. These results underscore the urgent need for improved data governance, scalable infrastructure and analytics readiness to fully unlock AI’s transformative potential.

The findings, published in an IDC InfoBrief sponsored by Qlik, arrive as businesses worldwide race to embed AI into workflows, with AI projected to contribute $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Yet, readiness gaps threaten to derail progress.

Organisations are shifting their focus from AI models to building the foundational data ecosystems necessary for long-term success.

Stewart Bond, Research VP for Data Integration and Intelligence at IDC, emphasised:
“Generative AI has sparked widespread excitement, but our findings reveal a significant readiness gap. Businesses must address core challenges like data accuracy and governance to ensure AI workflows deliver sustainable, scalable value.”

Without addressing these foundational issues, businesses risk falling into an “AI scramble,” where ambition outpaces the ability to execute effectively, leaving potential value unrealised.

“AI’s potential hinges on how effectively organisations manage and integrate their AI value chain,” said James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer at Qlik. “This research highlights a sharp divide between ambition and execution. Businesses that fail to build systems for delivering trusted, actionable insights will quickly fall behind competitors moving to scalable AI-driven innovation.”

The IDC survey uncovered several critical statistics illustrating the promise and challenges of AI adoption:

• Agentic AI Adoption vs. Readiness: 80% of organisations are investing in Agentic AI workflows, yet only 12% feel confident their infrastructure can support autonomous decision-making.
• “Data as a Product” Momentum: Organisations proficient in treating data as a product are 7x more likely to deploy Generative AI solutions at scale, emphasising the transformative potential of curated and accountable data ecosystems.
• Embedded Analytics on the Rise: 94% of organisations are embedding or planning to embed analytics into enterprise applications, yet only 23% have achieved integration into most of their enterprise applications.
• Generative AI’s Strategic Influence: 89% of organisations have revamped their data strategies in response to Generative AI, demonstrating its transformative impact.
• AI Readiness Bottleneck: Despite 73% of organisations integrating Generative AI into analytics solutions, only 29% have fully deployed these capabilities.

These findings stress the urgency for companies to bridge the gap between ambition and execution, with a clear focus on governance, infrastructure, and leveraging data as a strategic asset.

The IDC survey findings highlight an urgent need for businesses to move beyond experimentation and address the foundational gaps in AI readiness. By focusing on governance, infrastructure, and data integration, organisations can realise the full potential of AI technologies and drive long-term success.

For the complete findings and insights from the IDC InfoBrief Priorities and Challenges of Data and Analytics in the Midst of AI Momentum sponsored by Qlik, please sign up for the webinar and view the full report here.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has joined the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day 2025, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality and women empowerment in the energy sector and beyond.

With this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” NNPC Ltd. emphasizes the urgency of driving meaningful change toward inclusivity and equal opportunities for women. The company continues to champion initiatives that foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where women thrive, lead, and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.

In alignment with its corporate values, NNPC Ltd. remains at the forefront of promoting policies that empower women, advance leadership opportunities, and ensure fair representation at all levels of the organization. Through strategic programs and initiatives, the company is actively working toward a more equitable and progressive workplace.

As the world celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women, NNPC Ltd. extends its appreciation to the remarkable women within its workforce and beyond. The company urges all stakeholders to join hands in accelerating action toward a more inclusive and diverse future.

Yesterday, I had an interesting yet baffling conversation with an Igbo man from Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. He confidently declared that women who work tirelessly to raise their children without the support of their deadbeat partners are simply wasting their time and resources. According to him, Igbo culture supports men in such a way that, eventually, the father and his family will claim the children, regardless of their absence in the children’s upbringing. That’s why, he said, most Igbo men don’t bother taking responsibility.

Honestly, that was one of the dumbest things I have ever heard from a supposedly learned man! Culture or no culture, no reasonable man abandons his (child)ren and responsibilities. Fatherhood is not a title you wear when it’s convenient; it’s a responsibility you uphold through action, love, and sacrifice.

Fatherhood is not SEASONAL!!!

And let’s be clear, no intelligent, brave, and strong woman who single-handedly raised her precious children in this world will ever allow a deadbeat or a ‘deliberate-absent’ father or his entitled family members to suddenly show up and “claim” them. On what moral, ethical, spiritual, or legal grounds do they think they have that right? What exactly is going to give them that power or authority over the woman andcher grown children? Because of culture? Nonsense! Try that nonsense with an animal first before you think of trying it with a woman, let alone a strong one. Lol! That man and his entire delusional generation may not live to tell the story!

The truth is simple: successful children do not chase after the families that abandoned them and their mother. It’s the forgotten, wicked, deceitful, irresponsible, and forsaken families that come crawling back when they see success. The world has evolved beyond outdated, corrupt, senseless, misleading, manipulative cultural excuses used to justify irresponsibility. Make your money, build your legacy, and choose where and how to enjoy it. The moment you succeed, those who abandoned you will look for you—but the choice of who remains in your life will always be yours!

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” — 1 Timothy 5:8

“A woman who single-handedly builds an empire for her lovely children is a force that no deadbeat can ever claim rights over. Legacy is built by presence, not excuses.” – Dr. Sandra C Duru

Prof. Mgbeke