Connect with us

Business

Access Bank Partners SME.NG To Launch Ebi Marketplace

Published

on

Access bank

Access Bank Plc has partnered SME.NG, Bank of Industry (BOI), LAPO Microfinance Bank, Chapel Hill Denham and the Impact Investment Foundation Nigeria to launch the Ebi Marketplace.

This is contained in a statement by Access Bank made available to the AllNews Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ebi Marketplace is a Nigerian innovation for female entrepreneurs, consisting of an access to capital market, an e-commerce mall and a knowledge market for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria seeking to digitise their businesses.

The statement said that Ebi Marketplace was conceptualised and developed by SME.NG, as a tangible solution to the impact of COVID-19 on female entrepreneurs.

The Ebi Marketplace aims to close the gender digital divide in Nigeria by supporting women’s digital literacy and financial inclusion, while providing access to capital and markets.

Ms Thelma Ekiyor, “SME.NG is committed to investing in facilitating female entrepreneurs’ profitability, so that they are positioned for infusion of capital.”

According to her, this innovation is supported by Nigerian investors for the Nigerian market.

“We at SME.NG see ourselves as an indigenous solutions provider in Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystem. Women in Nigeria establish businesses more than men but struggle to grow beyond a certain point.

“We believe we have a strategic role to play in breaking that financial and growth ceiling,” she noted.

62 / 100 SEO Score

Business

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc Evolves into Holding Company Structure to Align with Decentralized Regulatory Framework – Announces Strategic Appointments

Published

on

By

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has announced its transition into a Holding Company (HOLDCO) structure, a strategic move designed to strengthen the company’s ability to operate effectively within Nigeria’s evolving electricity market and newly decentralized regulatory environment.

This move follows the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023, empowering State Governments to establish independent electricity markets and regulatory commissions.

In response to this regulatory shift, AEDC has realigned its corporate structure to enhance operational agility, improve governance, and support efficient service delivery across its franchise areas.

As part of this transformation, AEDC has incorporated two new subsidiary companies; the Niger Electricity Distribution Company and the Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. These entities will operate under the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC), respectively, while remaining integral members of the AEDC Group.

Key executive appointments have been made, including Engr. Sam Odekina as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Niger Electricity Distribution Company, and Mr. Desmond Eboh as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. Plans are underway to commence operations in Nasarawa State, with the transition process expected to begin soon.

AEDC’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye stated that the HOLDCO structure positions the company to respond to state-specific regulatory requirements while preserving the Group’s unified identity, shared values, and commitment to operational excellence and customer service. All subsidiaries will operate as one integrated AEDC family, with uniform Conditions of Service for employees, ensuring workforce stability and fairness.

“The Holdco structure aligns perfectly with our goal to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape while exploring new opportunities , drive growth and contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector development,” Chijioke said.

We are committed to maintaining our high standards of service, innovation and customer focus, even as we evolve into a new structure,” he further said.

AEDC reaffirms its commitment to supporting sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and setting benchmarks for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience. The company serves the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, and remains dedicated to powering economic growth and improving quality of life.

AEDC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and to setting a benchmark for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience across its operations.

AEDC further noted that the recently executed Conditions of Service apply uniformly to all employees across the parent company and its subsidiaries, underscoring the Group’s commitment to workforce stability, fairness, and alignment during the transition.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc distributes electricity to the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, and remains committed to powering economic growth and improving quality of life across its franchise areas.

42 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Business

Double Honours for ‘Gas King’ Julius Rone

Published

on

By

Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, has kickstarted the year 2026 on a high note as he has won two significant awards, New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 and The Sun Newspaper’s Investor of the Year thereby cementing his status as a transformative force in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Dubbed the “Gas King,” Rone’s recognition stems from his leadership of Nigeria’s inaugural Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, a groundbreaking initiative set to reshape the nation’s position in global energy markets.
The energy tycoon possesses an unrivalled genius and profound understanding of investment is consistently making headlines and staying ahead of his peers while his remarkable qualities have set him far apart from ordinary business magnates across the continent.

His presence in the gas sector has been a dominating force, leaving an ineffaceable mark wherever he ventures and positioning himself at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s gas industry.

He has a rich and diverse entrepreneurial journey that has helped shape the business sector in Africa. His path to success includes a series of ventures that have significantly contributed to the region’s business growth.

The UTM Offshore FLNG facility is designed to deliver 1.5 million tonnes of LNG for export and 300,000 tonnes of LPG for domestic use annually. This venture, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as part of the Renewed Hope agenda, represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s gas monetization strategy.
Rone’s professional journey spans influential roles at OMPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before assuming leadership of the UTM Group of Companies in 2008. His approach combines operational excellence with environmental stewardship, engaging international partners including JGC Holdings, Technip Energies, and KBR while conducting rigorous environmental assessments.
The double awards have further solidified Rone’s status as an outstanding businessman that stands out among Africa’s elite. His exceptional intuition, unmatched business acumen, and ability to identify opportunities where others see failure have propelled him to the forefront.

48 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Business

Zichis Agro-Allied to List N1.09bn Shares on NGX

Published

on

Zichis Agro-Allied

Zichis Agro-Allied Industries plans to list N1.09bn shares on NGX growth board, promising transparency and strong investor returns

(more…)

64 / 100 SEO Score
Continue Reading

Trending News