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Leadway Assurance, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Microsoft, Thrive Agric, Stears Join Sterling to Unlock $ 1 Trillion at ASA 2022
Sterling Bank Plc has announced plans with her partners Leadway Assurance, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Microsoft Nigeria, Thrive Agric, GIZ, Stears Data and others for this year’s Agricultural Summit Africa (ASA); the largest private sector-led conference on the agriculture sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
Taking place on the 26th and 27th of October 2022, with registration ongoing at www.agricsummit.org, this edition of the ASA will focus on how the agribusiness sector can further unlock value and accelerate growth and transform Nigeria into a trillion-dollar economy.
Dr. Olushola Obikanye, Group Head of Agric and Solid Minerals Finance at Sterling, made this announcement in a statement released by the bank yesterday.
He said ASA 2022, with the theme “Engineering a Trillion Dollar Agricultural Economy,” will amongst other objectives, highlight recent successes of Nigeria’s agricultural diversification efforts by showcasing actual accomplishments and innovations while driving discourse to achieve actionable steps that will clear a path to achieve the true potential of the agribusiness sector of the economy.
In the statement, the Group Head said “With our roster of esteemed partners, the value of a gathering like the ASA to the Nigerian agribusiness sector and the economy becomes evident as the focus becomes stronger to make the most of the comparative advantages Nigeria has to help the country reach its potential”.
Dr Obikanye said the summit, will among other focus areas; deepen the conversation on Africa’s small-scale primary producers who make up more than 60% of Africa’s farming population and produces over 90% of our domestic output.
He reiterated the fact that Nigeria and Africa at large need to step up their import substitution drives by producing and sourcing locally at least 70 – 80% of the raw materials to revive our industries and create jobs for our teeming populations.
According to him, this would boost mechanization, the acquisition of inputs, and operator expansion among those involved in the value chain and result in higher output.
The Group Head explained that the summit will seek to explore the practicability of sustainable storage and power solutions at scale to drive aggregation and processing for value multiplication as the bedrock for services built around the sector’s output.
According to him, it is more important than ever to capitalize on the opportunities built into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a regional market for Nigerian goods.
He added that the summit will also present innovation across pillars of technology and production techniques to spark interest and subsequently drive investments in sectors with the potential to accelerate the sector’s growth.
Besides this, the summit will also drive the use of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which is the key value-delivery mechanism of trade within the region.
He remarked that the Nigerian economy has immense and unrealized potential in her primary production sectors to attain a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated to be in the region of $440 billion, noting that recent global events have drawn attention to the volatility of the primary source of foreign exchange for the Nigerian state, along with the country’s ability to retain the value of her currency, maintain stability and a year-round supply of commodities, provide employment to afford goods and services, and create value to drive economic growth.
Dr Obikanye pointed out that the economies of some of the most developed countries in the world shared many similarities in their path to prosperity.
He continued by saying that regardless of whether an economy is based on extraction, processing, trade, services, tourism, or technology, each one typically takes advantage of its distinct gifts in some combination of the following factors that spur economic growth: land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship.
The Group Head remarked that beyond these factors, is a pivotal element of deliberateness, where the emphasis is on implementing a turnaround with the existing assets.
He noted that the more established economies of the world will always be a reference point for other nations due to the robustness of their primary, secondary and tertiary sectors and their eventual diversification into knowledge-driven economies.
He noted that these super-economies have an underlying foundation that is typically a robust extractive and production sector that serves as the cornerstone for almost all other layers of value creation in such markets
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ZenithBankPlcreaffirmeditscommitmenttoadvancingtrade,investmentandeconomiccooperationbetweenCanadaandAfricaastheHeadlineConferenceSponsorofthe6thCanada-AfricaBusinessConference, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.OrganisedbytheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,theconferencebroughttogetherahigh-levelCanadian business delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, businessleaders, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The gathering set out to strengthencommercial relations between Canada and Africa and to position Nigeria as a strategic gateway for Canadianbusinesses seeking opportunities across the continent.The Canadian delegation comprised companies and institutions operating across financial services, security,mining andcritical minerals,legal andprofessional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, educationand clean energy. Among those present were GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, Trilliant andother leading Canadian enterprises exploring commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in Nigeria.The Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, who delivered the keynote address on behalfof the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the conference as a timelyplatform for deepening commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa amid shifting global economicrealities. He underscored Africa’s readiness to lead the next phase of global economic growth, stressing thatthecontinent now possessestheinstitutions,policy frameworks andpartnershipsrequiredtoturn its immensepotential into shared prosperity.“The question is not whether Africa is rich in potential. It is whether we can turn that potential into prosperityour people can feel. For the first time, the answer is yes, because of the machinery we are now building,” hesaid.RepresentingtheGovernorofLagosState,HisExcellencyMr.BabajideSanwo-Olu,thePermanentSecretary, Ministryof Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade andInvestment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo,reaffirmedthe State Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment and internationalpartnerships, and highlighted Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s commercial hub and gateway to African markets.“Canada bringstothe tableconsiderable expertise,capital, innovation,and astrong traditionof institutionbuilding.Africa,andindeedLagos,offerscale.Weoffertalent,creativity,marketopportunitiesandanincreasingly sophisticated business environment. Together, these strengths create a compelling foundationfor transformative partnership,” he said.Speaking at the event, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, notedthattheconferencereflectsthegrowingmomentuminbilateralcommercialcollaborationbetweenbothcountries. He said: “The relationship between Canada and Nigeria is not new. It is rooted in diplomacy, trade,education,culture,migration,andshareddemocraticvalues.Buttoday,Ibelieveweareenteringanewchapter: one that is more ambitious, more practical, and more human.”
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TheChairoftheBoardoftheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,PaulaCaldwellSt-Onge,highlightedNigeria’sgrowing economic significance,saying: “Nigeria’s growth isnot theoretical.It is alreadybeing built byNigerian entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, innovators and companies whose ambition reachesacross Africa and around the world.”She also acknowledged Zenith Bank’s role in advancing the conference’s objectives, stating: “Zenith Bank isnot only oneof Africa’s leadingfinancial institutions, it isthe capital behindwhat you seehere today, and itrepresents the skill, ambition, discipline, innovation and excellence that this conference seeks to showcase.”Theconferencefeaturedhigh-levelpaneldiscussionsonCanada-Africacommercialrelations,investmentopportunitiesacrossprioritysectors,andtheimplementationoftheAfricanContinentalFreeTrade Area(AfCFTA). The sessions brought together policymakers, business executives and industry experts to identifypracticalpathwaysforstrengtheningcommercialpartnershipsandacceleratingsustainableeconomicdevelopment.The conference is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for Canadian investment,while opening new opportunities for technology transfer, private sector collaboration, job creation and long-termeconomicgrowth.ItalsoreinforcesNigeria’spositionasastrategichubforbusinessesseekingtoaccess opportunities across Africa under the AfCFTA, supporting the country’s ambition to expand its role inregional and global trade.
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HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments
HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
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