By Adenike Lawal

Air Peace, West Africa’s largest airline, has announced a strategic partnership with Opay Payment Services, integrating its platform into the airline’s Internet Booking Engine (IBE).

This collaboration introduces multiple payment options, including Bank Card, Opay Wallet, Bank Transfer, and USSD, aimed at enhancing transaction security and convenience for customers booking flights.

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, highlighted the airline’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs through innovative solutions.

He stated that the integration of Opay’s services aligns with the airline’s vision to offer secure and flexible payment methods within a user-friendly interface, enhancing the overall travel experience.

This initiative is the latest in a series of customer-focused innovations by Air Peace.

In October 2022, the airline partnered with Kalabash to launch the Pay-Small-Small scheme, allowing customers to pay for tickets in installments.

Additionally, the airline collaborated with AIICO Insurance to provide travel insurance, underscoring its dedication to passenger safety and convenience.

Founded in 2013, Air Peace has consistently positioned itself as a leader in service innovation within the aviation sector.

The airline continues to expand its domestic and international routes while leveraging technology to simplify travel for passengers.

With a commitment to connecting regions and delivering world-class service, Air Peace remains at the forefront of enhancing the travel experience for its customers across Africa and beyond.

By Adenike Lawal

Access Holdings has completed the acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank’s operations in Angola, marking a pivotal step in its strategic expansion across Africa.

The acquisition, facilitated by Access Bank’s commercial banking division, was first announced four months ago and has now been finalized.

Beyond Angola, Access Holdings is set to finalize deals involving Standard Chartered’s subsidiaries in Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Cameroon, alongside its consumer and private banking operations in Tanzania.

These acquisitions are poised to bolster Access Bank’s earnings by expanding its corporate and SME banking footprint in these key markets, according to CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna.

“This move is in line with our ambition to become the ‘World’s Most Respected African Bank,’” Ogbonna stated.

He highlighted the strategic importance of Angola, the largest oil producer in the region, noting that the acquisition positions Access Holdings for stronger market dominance in high-growth sectors.

Standard Chartered’s divestiture aligns with its global strategy to streamline operations and focus on wealth management.

The bank is also considering selling its wealth and retail banking divisions in Zambia, Botswana, and Uganda, with plans to reinvest in other business areas.

In a related development, Access Bank has announced plans to issue its first dollar bond in two tranches next year, further strengthening its financial standing for future expansions.

Niger State is poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s sugar industry with the development of 250,000 hectares of sugarcane fields and six sugar/ethanol plants in partnership with Uttam Sucrotech, a consortium of Brazilian and Indian sugar value chain experts.

The ambitious project, set to unfold over the next three years, was formalized during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s administration is leveraging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declared food security emergency to address Nigeria’s sugar deficit, which currently meets only 3% of national demand.

The project, spearheaded by Niger Foods in collaboration with the Nigeria Sugar Development Council, aims to produce 2.5 million metric tonnes of sugar, 250 million liters of ethanol, and generate 300 megawatts of electricity annually.

Special Adviser on Digital Media, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, described the initiative as a game-changer for food security, rural industrialization, and economic growth.

The project is expected to create 100,000 direct jobs, 250,000 indirect jobs, and involve 750,000 out-grower participants.

Governor Bago expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

The governor also highlighted the strategic role of the newly flagged Sokoto-Lagos Super Highway, which will unlock 90,000 hectares of arable land for sugar cultivation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security commended Niger State for its innovative approach, noting that the project integrates large-scale mechanized farming with research and innovation, promising a boost to livestock and soybean production for export earnings.

Niger State’s bold move aims to restore Nigeria’s sugar industry to its former glory, competing with global giants like Brazil and India.

As Niger Foods takes on this transformative journey, the stage is set for a new era in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic landscape.