Business
Ecobank Committed to Investing in Future of the Youth – Adeleke
Kola Adeleke, Executive Director of Commercial and Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, has stated that the InnovateX Challenge was created to empower and equip young people to transform their passions into scalable solutions for national development.
Speaking at the grand finale of the competition, held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos, Adeleke emphasized that, as a pan-African bank, InnovateX is a pivotal initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of changemakers and economic contributors.
“At Ecobank, we are committed to investing in the future of our youth and shaping a brighter future for Nigeria,” Adeleke said. “InnovateX aligns perfectly with this vision. We provide digital solutions, products, and services designed for convenience and accessibility, enabling young people to manage their finances anytime, anywhere — especially via mobile, their primary channel of engagement.”
InnovateX, a collaboration between Ecobank and Heave Ventures, was established to showcase bold and transformative ideas from Nigerians aged 16 to 25 in the Creative and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors.
Following weeks of applications, bootcamps, and a public voting phase, 18 finalists passionately pitched their ventures with clarity and purpose. A total of ₦20 million in prizes was awarded, alongside recognition and growth opportunities.
In the creative category, ISIO, Leadforge, and Zulana emerged as the top winners, receiving ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively. In the STEM category, Afrimetrics, Neighborly, and Feedipay claimed the top three prizes of ₦5 million, ₦2 million, and ₦1 million respectively. Additionally, Stipple Care and Semita AI each received ₦500,000, while the remaining 10 contestants were awarded ₦300,000 each.
Adeleke commended the resilience of all participants and encouraged the winners to use their prize funds intentionally to scale their ventures and deepen their impact.
Abiodun Lawal, CEO of Heave Ventures, also spoke at the event, highlighting the challenge’s role in empowering youth with resources, platforms, and belief in their potential.
“This is not simply a competition,” Lawal remarked. “It’s a celebration of vision, courage, and the vibrant potential of Nigeria’s youth. Congratulations to all finalists and winners — your passion lit up the stage and, with purposeful action, will help shape the future.”
Participants praised Ecobank and Heave Ventures, urging other corporate organizations to replicate such impactful programs. Micah Erumaka, CEO of Afrimetrics and first-place winner in the STEM category, expressed gratitude: “Ecobank has truly shown it cares about Nigerian youth. This fund will enable me to expand my business and create jobs.”
Ecobank continues to champion youth development through various initiatives. Recently, it partnered with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to train and support 16,000 Nigerian youths in agricultural wealth creation. The bank has also collaborated with EStars, an educational esports platform, to advance esports education in Nigeria, as well as with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Code 14 Labs, Learntor, AFC, Soto Gallery, and other organizations on multiple youth-focused programs.
…Strengthening Nigeria–Norway Clean Energy Collaboration
In a significant stride towards deepening economic ties between Nigeria and Norway, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has partnered with Renewvia Solar Nigeria to deploy renewable energy solutions across 25 UBA branches in five Nigerian states.
The initiative was formalised at the official ribbon cutting ceremony held at the UBA Oba Akran 2 branch, Ikeja-Lagos Nigeria on Wednesday, by the Nordic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Svein Bæra which followed a walkthrough of the Inverter/Battery Room and Operations by Renewvia team.
This initiative reflects a growing commitment to sustainable investment and innovation, a key message emphasised by UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, during the recent Norway–Africa Business Summit held in Oslo, where he urged global partners to view Africa not as an aid destination, but as a continent of opportunity and enterprise. “Africa needs partners, not charity,” Elumelu stated in Oslo, calling for deeper collaboration built on mutual respect, entrepreneurship, and investment.
The partnership between UBA and Renewvia embodies that call, channelling Nordic investment and African innovation into tangible, long-term impact. Supported by Empower New Energy, a leading Norway-based renewable investment company, and Incremental Energy Solutions (IES), the project will deliver the first phase of 152,000 kWh of clean energy monthly, reducing UBA’s carbon footprint by over 89,000 kilogrammes of CO₂ each month.
Under a 10-year Power-as-a-Service agreement, Renewvia will deploy advanced solar and battery hybrid systems across UBA’s branches, ensuring superior power reliability, operational efficiency, and an enhanced customer experience. Upon full rollout, the project will cover 50 locations across 18 states, representing 3 MWp of solar capacity and 7 MWh of energy storage.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, said, “At UBA, we believe sustainability is not just a responsibility but a key part of building Africa’s future. This project demonstrates how innovation and partnership can deliver lasting impact in terms of growth and advancement as well as reducing our carbon footprint, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to a cleaner environment. Continuing, he said, “We are proud to work with Renewvia Solar Nigeria, Incremental Energy Solutions, and Empower New Energy to make this vision a reality.”
On his part, the Managing Director, Renewvia Solar Nigeria Limited, Adebowale Dosunmu, said, “This partnership with UBA marks a major milestone in our mission to deliver reliable, clean energy to commercial and industrial clients across Nigeria. We are proud to support UBA’s leadership in sustainability and operational excellence.
The CEO, Incremental Energy Solutions (IES) Ltd, Oladipupo Omodara, who also spoke on the project, said, “We appreciate the cooperation and proactiveness of the UBA management team, whose support helped bring this remarkable project and partnership to life. We at IES are particularly pleased that this success reinforces our commitment to helping Africa claim its rightful place in global energy investment and technology deployment.”
Giving his remarks, CEO, Empower New Energy, Terje Osmundsen, stated that Empower New Energy is proud to be the financing partner for landmark project with Renewvia Solar Nigeria, supporting UBA’s commitment to cleaner and more reliable energy. “This partnership reflects our mission to enable African businesses access sustainable power through innovative financing. It also demonstrates the strength of Nordic-African cooperation in accelerating the transition to renewable energy,” Osmundsen explained.
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Mr Svein Bæra, noted that the partnership is a shining example of what can be achieved when African ambition meets Nordic investment and innovative practices.
“It also represents not just an energy milestone, but a strong statement of shared commitment to sustainable growth and climate responsibility.”
This collaboration underscores UBA’s position as a bank at the forefront of sustainability, integrating renewable energy to power its operations and reduce emissions. It also highlights the crucial role of Nordic investment through Empower New Energy in accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner, more reliable energy systems.
Most importantly in terms of Africa’s rapid growth and advancement, it aligns with Tony Elumelu’s broader vision of transforming Africa through entrepreneurship, private sector leadership, and strategic global alliances, partnerships that build capacity, create jobs, and unlock long-term value for both continents.
Premier bank in West Africa and a leading financial inclusion service provider, FirstBank, has announced the successful integration of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) into its flagship digital banking platform, the LIT app, enabling customers to make instant, secure, and local currency-based cross-border payments across Africa.
PAPSS, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, enables instant, low-cost payments in local currencies between African countries.
Speaking on the integration, the Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim, said, “The integration of PAPSS into the LIT app is a testament to FirstBank’s commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that simplify and enhance financial transactions. This milestone aligns with the Bank’s strategic goal of deepening digital capabilities and expanding access to seamless cross-border payment services across Africa.”
Commenting on this collaboration, Mike Ogbalu, CEO of PAPSS said, “Every time an individual, an SME or a Company sends money instantly within Africa in their own currency, we are not just moving funds, we are connecting ambitions, supporting livelihoods, and bridging dreams across borders. This collaboration with FirstBank and their LIT app brings us a step closer to making African borders invisible to movement of money, so that the continent’s entrepreneurs and families can focus on what matters most: building their future, not battling payment barriers.”
The LIT App, FirstBank’s innovative digital banking platform, offers a wide range of features including virtual cards, scheduled payments, and multiple transfers in one go, designed to meet the dynamic needs of customers. The addition of PAPSS expands its capabilities to support cross-border commerce, especially for individuals and SMEs engaged in pan-African business.
With PAPSS now live on the LIT App, FirstBank is breaking down barriers to payments, trade and financial inclusion across Africa. Customers can now send funds conveniently to other countries in Naira, without needing US dollar, GBP or Euro conversions. This landmark integration enables real-time cross-border payments in local African currencies, reduces transaction costs, and improves settlement efficiency. It also expands access to digital banking services, promotes financial inclusion, supports SMEs and fosters growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This integration of PAPSS to the LIT app reinforces FirstBank’s leadership in digital banking innovation and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda by simplifying intra-African transactions.
Nigeria’s leading real estate company renowned for making homeownership affordable for all, Adron Homes and Properties, has unveiled the much-anticipated Lemon Friday Plus Promo; an upgraded version of its annual Lemon Friday campaign.
The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is designed to make property ownership easier, more flexible, and more rewarding for Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora. With discount of up to 50% on all landed properties, flexible payment structures, and exciting gift packages, Adron Homes continues to fulfill its mission of providing affordable housing solutions nationwide.
According to the company’s Group Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, the Lemon Friday Plus Promo was introduced as part of Adron Homes’ commitment to empower more Nigerians to become landowners despite the current economic challenges.
“For over a decade, we have continued to make property ownership possible for everyday Nigerians. Lemon Friday Plus takes that vision even further by making payments more flexible and the process of owning land more convenient and rewarding,” he said.
For the first time, subscribers can spread their initial deposits into five convenient installments, from July to November 30, 2025. This unique feature allows individuals and families to plan their finances while securing a plot in any Adron Homes estate of their choice.
The promo offers affordable entry options with tiered deposit packages:
* ₦300,000 (Bronze)
* ₦500,000 (Silver) – includes a cockerel & rice
* ₦1,000,000 (Gold)
* ₦3,500,000 (Diamond)
Each deposit category comes with exciting gift rewards, ranging from home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and home theatres, to even cows for festive celebrations.
During the promo period, customers can enjoy a massive 50% discount on all Adron Homes estates nationwide and spread their remaining balance conveniently over 12 months.
This offer applies to all Adron Homes estates, including popular developments such as Treasure Park and Gardens (Shimawa), City of David Estate (Abeokuta), Grandview Park and Gardens (Atan-Ota), Manhattan Park and Gardens (Karshi, Abuja), among others.
With over 60 estates across Nigeria, Adron Homes provides customers the opportunity to own land in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Oyo, Osun, Niger, Nasarawa, Ekiti, and Plateau States.
Speaking further, the Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, who officially declared the Lemon Friday Plus sales open at the company’s Ibadan regional office, emphasized that the campaign underscores Adron Homes’ goal of building cities and creating affordable housing opportunities.
“This promo is not just about discounts; it’s about making real estate accessible to everyone; traders, salary earners, entrepreneurs, and even students. At Adron Homes, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home,” she noted.
The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is currently open to new and existing customers nationwide. Interested buyers can visit any Adron Homes regional office, call the company’s hotlines, or connect via its official website and social media handles to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
