Montblanc Opens First Luxuxry Goods Outlet in Nigeria

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Montblanc Opens First Luxuxry Goods Outlet in Nigeria

Montblanc, a leading global luxury goods brand has expanded its hold in West Africa by opening its first outlet in the city of Lagos.

As announced in a press conference, Montblanc, the leading global Maison for luxury business lifestyle, has opened its first standalone boutique in Nigeria, together with longstanding partner Polo Luxury. Located in The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos – Nigeria’s premier lifestyle and shopping destination, the boutique offers an immersive retail experience with dedicated areas for watches, writing instruments, leather goods, accessories and Montblanc’s growing range of technology devices.

The luxury Maison adds a new dimension to the mall’s luxury offering with its Neo² design concept by French designer and interiors architect Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. Currently being rolled out globally, the design articulates the Maison’s long-standing passion for craftsmanship and presents a pure and uncluttered aesthetic, mixing black, white and wood for a contemporary retail environment that engages and inspires.

Home to a wide selection of Montblanc’s core writing instruments, the boutique also showcases a variety of sought-after collections. These include the latest Montblanc Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days collection that pays homage to the great literary adventure by French author Jules Verne, and brings to life the fantastical story of world circumnavigation through elegant design elements inspired by the themes of the classic adventure.

The section of the new boutique dedicated to the exceptional quality leather goods crafted by Montblanc, includes a variety of iconic collections and travel accessories designed to meet an urban explorer’s every need with their sleek, modern designs and refined functionality. Watch enthusiasts will relish the extensive range of high complication timepieces, including the Montblanc 1858, and for those bridging timepieces and tech, the latest edition of Montblanc’s elegant smartwatch Summit Lite is also available in the boutique’s growing section of classy tech products.

The new boutique also includes a collector’s corner showcasing a number of sought-after collector pieces that will be generating interest across the continent, and an immersive ink bar experience offering customers the chance to test the full spectrum of Montblanc writing instruments, nibs and inks.

“We are delighted to be opening our first standalone boutique in Nigeria, and to be doing so with our longstanding partner in this key African city. We have been pioneers in luxury on the continent, having introduced Montblanc here almost 30 years ago, and we have full confidence in our long-term future here,” said Alain Dos Santos, Regional Managing Director of Montblanc Africa.

Jennifer Obayuwana, Polo Luxury, said: “Polo has enjoyed a long partnership with Montblanc for the past three decades, and we are proud to celebrate what is a significant milestone with the opening of this boutique. This is a point in history for Polo and Montblanc in Lagos, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and one that is home to a growing population of ambitious, sophisticated men and women who appreciate the craftsmanship, design and assured status that the Maison offers. Together with our knowledgeable, passionate and personable team, we can be sure of delivering the best possible experience for our customers, and look forward to welcoming them to their new Montblanc home.”

Africa Data Centres reveals Africa’s largest-ever data centre expansion plan

Gboyega Ajayi
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Africa Data Centres reveals Africa’s largest-ever data centre expansion plan

Africa’s leading carrier-neutral co-location data centre provider, Africa Data Centres, has announced plans to build large hyperscale data centres throughout Africa, including the North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

The project will involve building 10 hyperscale data centres, in 10 countries, over the next two years – at a cost of more than US$500m. It is being funded through new equity and facilities from leading development finance institutions and multilateral organisations. Africa Data Centres CEO, Mr Stephane Duproz, explains that the finance for the roll-out has been provided by equity and loans to Africa Data Centres’ parent company, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, to fully fund the expansion.

Explaining the ambitious initiative, Duproz says, “We have already begun to acquire land in these countries and plan to roll-out very quickly to meet the needs of our existing and new customers. This is just the beginning for us.” The expansion will more than double Africa Data Centres’ already significant footprint on the continent.

“Examining Africa’s growth trajectory has allowed us to make investment decisions on new locations and confidently commit to expanding selected existing locations, resulting in the largest investment of its kind in history,” explains Duproz.

Growth

“This commitment to Africa, through the continuous deployment of capital-intensive infrastructure projects, has pivotal knock-on effects for the communities and economies we serve,” says Duproz. “All our data centres are world-class – built to the same, global market-leading standard and offer a reliable, resilient, secure and interconnected base.

“This allows multinational organisations to confidently enter the market, knowing their future growth is assured and they have access to open carrier systems to the rest of the continent. Additionally, without access to always-on, high-speed data centre facilities, the private sector cannot compete globally and will see slowed growth locally; equally important is the impact IT services have on the public sector – from healthcare to transport infrastructure.”

Africa Data Centres’ investment is a reflection of, as well as a catalyst for the continued direct foreign investment into the continent and the positive growth of local organisations.

Duproz says industries especially likely to be buoyed by Africa Data Centres’ expansion are the banking and growing fintech sectors, insurance and medical organisations, the public sector, hyperscale cloud providers and content providers. These industries, he says, are highly sensitive to data speed, security, guaranteed uptime and are exacting when it comes to reliability and trust in their providers. The SME market too, he says, has found a significant opportunity for growth by plugging into the digital ecosystems that data centres provide.

“Our experience from across the continent is that the strategic value of data centres has both immediate and long-term effects on the economy and the communities they serve. Job creation is something we are passionate about at Africa Data Centres and the equation is a simple one: digitisation boosts economies, and successful digitisation requires data centres. Data centres are digital ecosystems, acting as magnets to organisations – and as the digital ecosystem grows within the data centre, so the local economy grows in the real world. The impact of a data centre is long-lasting, with immediate job creation stemming from the physical build and enduring economic growth once operational.”

Sustainable, pan-African, neutral, interconnected

“We are Africa’s largest network of data centres – and we are growing perpetually. All of our facilities across the continent will remain interconnected, allowing our tenants to take advantage of our vast footprint. Furthermore, we guarantee carrier-neutrality – meaning our tenants benefit from competition, redundancy and reliability. And, perhaps most importantly, is our commitment to sustainable, clean builds. We invest heavily in innovative grey-water systems, waste disposal and renewable energy sources, ensuring our carbon footprint is drastically reduced, our reliability is uncontested and while building economies, we’re aiding the environment”, says Duproz.

Africa Data Centres has already begun the implementation of its roadmap with the construction of both new facilities and the expansion of existing facilities underway

How micro and nano influencers shape ‘discovery’ purchases

Murray Legg
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How micro and nano influencers shape ‘discovery’ purchases
Marketing has always been consumer-led. Since the birth of marketing in the early 20th century, brands have spent enormous resources trying to understand what people cared about and then crafting messages that spoke directly to them. A lot of it was hit and miss.
Fostering Unethical Advertising The Influencers Manipulation Tactics BRANDSPURNG
Photo by Eyitayo Adekoya

John Wanamaker, who is credited with being the father of marketing, famously said over 100 years ago, “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.”

With the advent of search engines and social media, this became easier, because brands could pinpoint search terms and who clicks on which content. Today’s challenge is that the way consumers use the Internet and social media channels is shifting, which means marketing strategies need to adapt again.

The move to brand discovery

The first big shift is that although search engines (34%) and ads seen on TV (33%) remain the most common modes of brand discovery, according to a report done by Social. GWI’s annual flagship report on global social media trends, ads on social platforms are catching up. 27% of Internet users who responded to GWI’s survey stated that they use social media channels to find products to purchase. This is considerably higher in Kenya (73%) and Nigeria (72%).

The message is clear: Social media has become a space where advertising content is expected, and possibly even desired, provided it is authentic and aligns with users’ values.

What’s possibly even more critical than this change in where consumers are comfortable seeing advertising, however, is how brand discovery is changing.

Previously, consumers would use tools like Google to research products. Someone looking for a smartphone, TV or even wearable tech would Google it, possibly after seeing a display ad.

Research is intent-driven. This is the foundation of why Google AdWords and Search Engine Optimisation have been so fundamental to online marketing strategies. Consumers were looking for a specific brand, product or solution and their search criteria would lead them to a company’s display advert, piece of content or website.

But the move from intent-driven research to discovery is something different, and it’s the reason why platforms like Instagram, Etsy and Pinterest are growing bigger each day.

Scrolling through beautiful images with little to no text input on your mobile phone is key to discovery, and it’s the reason why many consumers are finding exciting new brands to connect with. They want to be exposed to new brands and products through their social media platforms. And more often than not, they’re doing so through the people whom they follow and engage with.

Influencers and e-commerce

Traditional influencer marketing is associated with the glitz and glamour of celebrity lifestyles, but increasingly, the real power of influencer marketing lies in authenticity. Consumers today aren’t interested in unattainable lifestyles, holidays or even products.

They want to follow real people who share their values and interests and who create meaningful and entertaining content that speaks directly to them. The result is that authentic content that resonates with individuals is taking centre stage, and more and more, it’s influencing the way people shop online. After all, what can be more authentic than a micro or nano influencer offering unfiltered insights into their purchasing decisions and preferences?

Seth Godin says, “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.” The challenge is that it’s very difficult for a brand to tell a story – brands need people to do that for them.

Let’s put what this looks like online into context. Gen Z’s are almost as likely to follow influencers as brands, followed closely by Millennials. More importantly, the influencers they are predominantly following are not celebrities – they’re role models. They are people who have a wide variety of interests, from wildlife photography and triathlons to personal health and wellness. They share their DIY interests and where they are volunteering. They are individuals who like learning new skills, challenging themselves, and contributing to their communities, and the experiences, tips and insights that they share with their followers aren’t just influencing how the next generation thinks, but shaping how they choose and consume brands.

There’s enormous value in being real. A model eating a fast-food burger is the opposite of authentic – few followers, if any, would believe that fast food takeaways are her go-to lunch choice. On the other hand, a mother sharing her experiences with a new baby food brand is extremely authentic. At its core, marketing is driven by trust, not the number of followers a person has on Instagram or Facebook, which is why content matters.

A study by Twitter highlights just how much of an impact influencers have on consumer behaviour: 49% of people said they rely on influencer recommendations when it comes to making purchase decisions, and 40% admitted that they’ve bought an item from an online store after seeing an influencer using it on Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.

From influencer to e-commerce curator

Instagram’s shopping feature is a great example of how social media platforms are responding to how their users consume digital media. The feature enables businesses to add product tags in their posts, allowing buyers to click on pictures displayed in posts and instantly see prices, fabric types, sizes, and any other information they need at a single click. Customers can even order products directly on Instagram.

Influencers use hashtags to drive traffic, they share personal and authentic experiences to win the trust of their followers, and they often make use of promotion codes to boost sales.

We believe that the next evolution will be influencers who create curated collections on their own platforms that can be purchased then and there, effectively closing the loop in how brands are discovered, researched and finally purchased through influencer accounts.

About MURRAY LEGG
Murray Legg is the Head of Global Strategy at the Influencer platform, Webfluential. Murray holds a Ph.D in biomedical engineering, was included in the global list of Power30under30 in 2013 and Mail & Guardian‘s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2014. Murray leads strategic business thinking at Webfluential, focusing on its services and growth trajectory. He is a commercial and entrepreneurial thinker with an ability to execute projects.

UNDP and SEforALL Team Up Towards Affordable Energy for All in the Sahel

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UNDP and SEforALL Team Up Towards Affordable Energy for All in the Sahel

Over 51 per cent of the Sahelian population – some 175 million people, do not yet have access to electricity

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) announce a new partnership to unlock public and private investments towards affordable and sustainable energy access for all people in Africa, particularly in the Sahel. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the UN Assistant-Secretary General and UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Bureau for Africa Director Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, and Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, committed to mutual efforts to accelerate Africa’s resilience, recovery and development.

“Our vision for this partnership is to continue to promote and support bolder energy transition initiatives for the region and to demonstrate the viability of longer-term programs and investment readiness in the Sahel that will ultimately benefit millions of people in the region who currently do not have access to electricity and clean cooking solutions,” said Ms. Ogunbiyi.

More than 53 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans – about 570 million people – do not have access to electricity, as highlighted by the World Bank. In the Sahel alone, over 51 per cent of the Sahelian population – some 175 million people, do not yet have access to electricity. Further, eighty per cent – or some 271 million people – do not have access to clean cooking. Limited and unpredictable power supplies combined with high electricity costs constrain development of businesses and economic activities as fossil fuels and traditional biomass (charcoal, wood, dry dung fuel) remain the main energy sources – bearing severe consequences on the environment and human health.

Given the urgent need for action, SEforALL and UNDP teams have identified immediate areas for collaboration. By supporting the policy and regulatory frameworks and strengthening institutional capacity, this alliance aims to unlock public and private sector investment for off-grid rural electrification, amongst other initiatives.

“Sealing this partnership today will strengthen our actions in addressing one of the most pressing issues for all people living in Africa, particularly in the Sahel,” emphasized Ms. Eziakonwa. “Affordable and sustainable access to energy is key to accelerating development. A great opportunity awaits to be tapped – to transform the Sahel, regenerating this land of immense opportunity and promise. Investing in energy in the Sahel will deliver dividends for children trying to earn an education, youth willing to access employment opportunities, women yearning to acquire new skills, and empower local authorities or businesses.”

The African continent, particularly the Sahel, has immense renewable energy potential but remains challenged by the high financing costs required to deploy clean energy solutions at scale. Investing in clean energy in the Sahel will increase human development, ensure structural economic transformation and socioeconomic progress, and address conflict triggers in the region. Increasing energy access in the Sahel will spur on catalytic investments, power the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of Sahelian men and women and bring renewed prospects to communities in the hinterlands and ungoverned spaces.

FMDQ Exchange Admits Mixta Real Estate PLC Series 42 – 44 Commercial Papers on its Platform

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FMDQ Exchange Admits Mixta Real Estate PLC Series 42 – 44 Commercial Papers on its Platform

In a continuous bid to demonstrate its commitment to the development of the Nigerian capital markets, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “the Exchange”), through its Board Listings and Markets Committee, approved the quotation of the Mixta Real Estate PLC ₦2.07 billion Series 42, ₦0.99 billion Series 43, and ₦4.66 billion Series 44 CPs under its ₦20.00 billion CP Issuance Programme on its platform. These quotations, and others by corporates across diverse sectors, continue to validate FMDQ Exchange as the choice platform for the registration, listing and quotation of debt securities in the Nigerian financial market. It also lays credence to the innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence for which the Exchange is reputed for as endorsed by issuers, investors, and other market stakeholders.

Mixta Real Estate PLC (“Mixta”), a subsidiary of Mixta Africa, specialises in the development of urban infrastructure and affordable housing and was established with the objective of responding to the existing housing deficit across the African continent. The Mixta Real Estate CPs, which are sponsored on the Exchange by FBNQuest Merchant Bank – a Registration Member (Quotation), would be used to finance the issuer’s short-term funding requirements. The issuer will also benefit from FMDQ Exchange’s diversified investor base, its highly responsive and efficient listing and quotation processes, and credible benchmark pricing required for appropriate portfolio valuation, amongst others.

FMDQ Exchange will continue to remain innovative even as it continues to provide timely and cost-efficient listing and quotation services to support its stakeholders, particularly issuers and investors, towards accessing capital in the Nigerian financial market, amongst other service offerings.

FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, strategically positioned to provide registration, listing, quotation and noting services; integrated trading, clearing & central counterparty, settlement, risk management for financial market transactions; and depository of securities; as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets, through its wholly owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Exchange, FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited.

BMW Intermodal Companion “@ IAA MOBILITY” – A Safe Way To Travel To Your Destination

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BMW Intermodal Companion “@ IAA MOBILITY” – A Safe Way To Travel To Your Destination

The BMW in-car app provides intelligent combinations of different means of transport based on geo-fencing technology for navigation. After single login, the application is installed in the vehicle via an over-the-air upgrade.

Urban mobility is an important future topic for every automobile manufacturer. By 2030, more than 80% of all people will live in cities. Ensuring mobility is a high priority for the BMW Group. However, mobility in urban areas can only succeed by combining all mobility options. The BMW Group is therefore constantly developing new solutions for optimising mobility within cities and in the regions. It is important that individual mobility with your own car can be combined with other mobility options.

For the IAA, the BMW Group ensures that visitors will arrive at their destination in their BMW safely and without traffic jams and also avoid unnecessary inner-city traffic. The engineers of the BMW Group have designed an “Intermodal Companion @ IAA MOBILITY” – an In-Car app that offers visitors to the IAA various options, depending on their route and destination. This vehicle app uses geo-fencing technology, which already ensures that hybrid vehicles of the BMW Group drive fully electrically in more than 80 European cities.

BMW customers can register prior to the IAA with their ConnectedDrive account via the website companion.bmw.de for the “Intermodal Companion @ IAA MOBILITY”. It is then uploaded to their vehicle before the IAA by an over-the-air upgrade process.

Depending on their direction of arrival and IAA destination, users of the In-Car app can select various BMW multi-storey car parks and park&ride car parks in the city of Munich as parking and transfer points. From there, they can easily reach their destination at the trade fair or the Open Space. If intermodal arrival by public transport is selected, users are automatically directed via the In-Car app to one of the transfer points, where they can simply book a ticket for the MVV (Munich public transport system) using a QR code.

 

In the future, multimodal apps and connections to other mobility providers will ensure that mobility for BMW customers in urban environments is as smooth and uncomplicated as possible.

Vehicle requirements:

  • BMW vehicle equipped with active Connected Drive services
  • BMW vehicle equipped with on-board navigation system
  • BMW vehicle with year of manufacture 2018 or later

Link to “BMW Intermodal Companion @ IAA MOBILITY” registrationpage:

companion.bmw.de

PayPal Bets Big On Crypto Payments Future With International Expansion

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PayPal Bets Big On Crypto Payments Future With International Expansion

According to a press release, PayPal has launched its first crypto services in the UK in its international crypto expansion plan.

This means that, users of PayPal in UK users can buy, hold, and sell four cryptocurrencies––Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash––directly from the PayPal app. PayPal has not said whether it will bring other crypto features on the App for its users in the country.

The challenge: The UK has cracked down on firms that offer crypto services and threatened to shut down companies that don’t comply with anti-money laundering regulations by March 2022.

Likely to preempt close consumer protection scrutiny, PayPal urged UK consumers to research the risks involved with crypto before investing. It also implemented unique transaction limits for UK users, whereas it just scrapped its annual crypto purchase limit in the US.

The opportunity: In an interview with the Financial Times, PayPal CEO Dan Schulman outlined his company’s commitment to digital currencies and his belief that cryptos will shift from mainly acting as an investment vehicle to soon having wider payments utility.

Schulman said central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are “inevitable” in the wake of China’s advanced pilot and wants PayPal to be ready to support them.

  • PayPal’s push can help the company grow its user base by attracting consumers interested in crypto: 18% of the US adult population—46 million consumers—said they will likely use cryptocurrencies to make a purchase this year, according to a recent study from PYMNTS and crypto payment service provider BitPay.
  • And PayPal customers who hold cryptos tend to log in twice as often as they did before owning crypto, according to Schulman, increasing engagement and tying them closer to the app overall.

Long-term outlook: Expanding its crypto services into new markets brings PayPal closer to its goal of morphing into a “super app” that consumers use every day.

This super app will be ready to launch later this year, according to PayPal’s Q2 earnings call, and will include messaging, a savings account, bill payments, money transfers, and shopping features. Expanding beyond traditional payments can help PayPal continue its recent success and strong growth: In Q2, PayPal’s total payment volume (TPV) jumped 36% year over year (YoY), hitting $311 billion—up from the same period last year, when the metric grew 30% YoY.

 

 

 

The Top 10 Best Funded Start-Ups Since 2020

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The Top 10 Best Funded Start-Ups Since 2020

Specialist insurance firm Inigo Limited is the best-funded start-up of 2020-21, a new study reveals.

Conducted by cloud accounting company Ember, the research analysed Crunchbase data to discover companies founded on and after 1st January 2020 and identify those with the highest total funding since their inception.

Topping the list with funding of £800m raised since their founding in 2020, Inigo Limited offers specialist insurances in several regions including property, energy and terrorism and political violence.

In second and labelled as “the first fully digital and algorithmically-driven Lloyd’s syndicate” is London-based insurance firm Ki Insurance. Originally announced in March 2020, the organisation offers subscription-based, algorithmic underwriting for a variety of risks. Since its inception, the company has gained $500m in total funding.

The third highest-funded start-up of 2020-21 is the industrial-scale bitcoin mining operator Genesis Digital Assets – also based in London. Launched in May of this year and with funding of $125,000,000 since inception, the firm recently released its Q2 reports, highlighting what it referred to as the “emerging role” of Ethereum and Decentralized finance (DeFi) in the industry.

London-based companies dominate the top 10 list of the best funded start-ups – seven of the ten firms included are registered to operate within the country’s capital.

The list also reveals considerable variety in the types of businesses that are generating high levels funding. There are five companies focusing on finance and insurance, alongside those operating in industries as diverse as food delivery and nanotechnology.

Rank Company Company Location Total Funding Sector
1 Inigo Ltd. Bracknell $800,000,000 FinTech
2 Ki Insurance London $500,000,000 FinTech
3 Genesis Digital Assets London $125,000,000 Blockchain
4 Zapp Kent $100,000,000 Delivery Service
5 Cominds International London $69,000,000 Business & Management Services
6 Heroes London $65,000,000 E-Commerce
7 Purespring Therapeutics London $62,000,000 Biotechnology
8 Smart Nano NI Belfast $58,000,000 Nanotechnology
9 Fintern London $44,000,000 FinTech
10 Primer London $24,000,000 FinTech

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Ember stated: “It is thrilling to see that, even in spite of the recent pandemic, start-ups within various sectors are receiving substantial funding in order to conduct their business. The top ten businesses have generated more than $1.8 billion in funding, so it’s clear that the British start-up scene is in rude health.”

The news follows research by Ember which revealed that retail is the UK’s best industry in which to start a business. It came out on top of the overall industry rankings thanks to one of the highest survival rates, and a healthy ratio of companies being started compared to businesses failing

The study was conducted by Ember, the cloud accounting company which automates accounting and tax to help make business admin simpler and more cost effective for freelancers, contractors, start-ups and small businesses.

African Vaccine Acquisition Trust delivers 12,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the African Union

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African Vaccine Acquisition Trust delivers 12,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the African Union

The African Union (AU), through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has worked with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) to secure 12,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine for staff members of the African Union Commission (AUC), AU Embassies in Addis Ababa and their dependents. The vaccines were handed over to the African Union’s Medical Health Services Directorate (MHSD) today. They arrived on the 1st of September.

The vaccines, partly manufactured in South Africa, were imported with the support of the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Being able to offer vaccines to all AUC and AU Embassy staff and their dependents is also an important step in securing the AU’s business continuity.

The AU MHSD is responsible for administering the vaccines to the AUC and African Union Embassy staff and dependents. Vaccination for AU staff members started immediately after the handover, following prior communication on the procedures and logistics by MHSD.

African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, who presided over the event on behalf of H.E Mousa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, noted that, to date, only 25.5% of the AU Commission and the community of the AU member states based in Addis Ababa are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“This figure is far below where we need to be, in order to be near normalcy and return to work. It is therefore pertinent that all staff and supervisors should encourage colleagues to get vaccinated as this is the only way for us to return to our previous working environment”, she said. Dr Nsanzabaganwa concluded by underlining the close collaboration between the African Union Commission and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the delivery and clearance of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine for use by the AU Commission.

The Acting Director for AU Medical and Health Services, Dr. Naftal Kilenga said that as of today 1,500 individuals have been vaccinated from the AU and diplomatic community in Addis Ababa. He recalled that the AU Commission also recently received a donation of 15,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from the People’s Republic of China.

“Today, we are lucky to receive 12,000 doses of J and J from the Africa CDC, thus creating a wide choice of vaccines to the community we serve. Our community has no reason not to vaccinate. Over time, we will overcome this pandemic and go back to our normal working environment. Breaking the transmission chain of COVID-19 virus starts with you”, said Dr Kilenga.

The Africa CDC Director Dr John Nkengasong welcomed the arrival of the vaccines: “Only high vaccination levels will allow us to return to work and near normalcy. We are glad to be able to offer the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, with its track record of safety and efficacy, to the Commission and Embassy staff and their dependents”.

Commenting on this achievement, the AU Special Envoy and AVAT coordinator Mr Strive Masiyiwa said: “We are pleased that we have been able to secure these vaccines which were paid for through donors through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust”. Mr Masiyiwa also confirmed that Ethiopia had placed a large order of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines for its citizens through the AVAT.

Transcorp Appoints Oliver Andrews as an Independent Non-Executive Director

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Transcorp Appoints Oliver Andrews as an Independent Non-Executive Director

The Board of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), Nigeria’s largest listed conglomerate, has today announced the appointment of Oliver Andrews to the Board, as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

Mr Andrews brings over 35 years of experience in infrastructure development, public-private partnerships and strategic advisory working with regional and international institutions, international corporations and DFIs. Mr Andrews most recently served as the Chief Investment Officer at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), one of the largest investors in infrastructure solutions in Africa, where he oversaw the growth of assets under management, from US$1 billion to over US$8.4 billion, including significant investments in the energy and natural resources sector

Commenting on his appointment, the Group Chairman Transcorp Plc, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON said “We are delighted to welcome Oliver to the Board of Transcorp, as we execute on delivering our purpose of “Improving Lives, Transforming Nigeria”. His experience of power and infrastructure will be a great asset to Transcorp, as we continue to implement our strategies of suppling robust, dependable power in Nigeria and across Africa.”

Oliver has held several senior positions, including being Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of the African Finance Corporation, Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority, and a strategic advisor to several governments as a member of the Africa & Middle East and Commonwealth Infrastructure Technical Advisory Groups. He is the pioneer Chairman of the Africa Infrastructure Development Association, member of the Global Climate Finance Lab and Chair of the Africa Centre.

An engineer by training and experience, he is a graduate of the University of Wales, where he received a postgraduate diploma in port and shipping administration. He has an MBA from the Cardiff Business School. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport & Logistics, Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and Member of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Incorporated Engineers.

About Transcorp: Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) is a publicly quoted conglomerate, with a diversified shareholder base of over 300,000 investors.  Our portfolio comprises strategic investments in the power, hospitality, agribusiness and oil and gas sectors and includes Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Transcorp Hotels Calabar, Transcorp Power Ltd, Transafam Power Ltd, Transcorp Energy and the recently launched digital hospitality platform, Aura by Transcorp Hotels.

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